WHAT IS PISTON TO VALVE CLEARANCE? THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO SEEING AND UNDERSTANDING PISTON TO VALVE!

WHAT IS PISTON TO VALVE CLEARANCE? HOW BIG OF A CAM CAN I RUN? HOW MUCH LIFT CAN I RUN? WHAT IS THE DANGER ZONE FOR PISTONS AND VALVES? WHEN DOES THE INTAKE VALVE HIT? WHEN DOES THE EXHAUST VALVE HIT? WHY CAN'T I RUN A BIGGER CAM? DOES THE PISTON CHASE THE VALVE? DOES THE VALVE CHASE THE PISTON? DID RICHARD REALLY CUT UP AND ALUMINUM 5.3L BLOCK? CHECK OUT THIS VIDEO WHERE I SACRAFICED AND SECTIONED AN ALUMINUM 5.3L LS BLOCK AND 706 CYLINDER HEAD SO I COULD BETTER ILLUSTRATE WHAT PISTON TO VALVE CLEARANCE IS. I ALSO DEMONSTRATED THE CRITICAL DANGER ZONES FOR THE INTAKE AND EXHAUST VALVES AND SHOWED WHY LIFT ISN'T IMPORTANT.

[thegalli]

We like it when the P is close to the V

[martyshumard]

Now you need to show us how cam duration and lobe separation effect P to V clearance.

[GroovesAndLands]

Fantastic video and idea, Richard. Next up you should demonstrate techniques for actually testing PtV clearance. Perhaps do the "clay" technique and rolling the engine all the way over, and then also the dial indicator approach only in the danger zone. Then you can discuss the pros/cons to each approach.

[andrewcammer]

Very cool cutaway. This is one of those things that's so hard to explain to people, and a great visual goes a longs ways. It would be neat to talk a bit about acceptable piston to valve clearance in different configurations, what impact cylinder head milling and gasket thickness changes have, and maybe demonstrate how some flycuts or aftermarket piston with reliefs can add meaningful clearance. It would also be interesting to explain some common failures that result in unwanted PTV contact (valve float, lifter pump-up, broken spring, loss of cam to crank sync via some loose cam bolts, etc) and what can be done to mitigate those scenarios. Great visualization, should be a lot of ways to use this to demonstrate all kinds of things.

[carltaylor]

Love this video! I would be very curious to see how increasing the rocker arm ratio effects clearance.

[mikedimaio]

Use the cut off pieces to cast a clear acrylic part, slap that on the engine and run smoke through the chamber to see how the air flows. Love the cutaway engines, Chrysler had them as a motorized display.

[firebry]

Yes to all of the questions at the end.

[scrappy]

When I was a punk kid in the 70's, the local lawn mower shop had a cut-a-way briggs flat head engine on the parts counter. I would stare at it in amazement! I learned so much fixing minibikes and lawn mowers, the basics still apply to modern cars.

[BigMikesGarage]

Nice display and explanation. Just FYI: Dipping your carbide burr in ATF occasionally will make the cutting go quicker and keep the aluminum from sticking to the burr.

[richwhaley]

Great demonstration Richard! Instead of trying to visualize it in my head I can actually see what is really happening. And yes I'd love to see the changes when advancing and retarding the cam when it comes to piston to valve clearance! Keep up the great work Richard!❤

[royosborn]

Great demo, Richard - looking forward to your next educational session on piston to valve clearance - lots of good suggestions posted.

[sarsavage]

You did a awesome job explaining pistons to valves clearance, i really appreciate all your videos

[Gearbhall]

This sectioned display motor is really cool

[reachadcreadordasilva]

Funny you asked how it looks in the cylinder when you advance and restart the cam. I was actually searching it so the I can learn to make 1.7 work safely on my sbf with n41 cam

[bluecollarhotrods]

Great visual, I've seen animation and drawings - but this was way better. I asked a question on the live feed a few nights ago. You said LSA affects this. I'd love to see a bunch of 230 & 230+ intake duration cams at various LSAs and how tight they are, or if they even work at all. And maybe a method of getting in the ballpark of what will fit when selecting a camshaft.

[cam]

Fantastic, if I could subscribe again, I would! Suggest future tests to include 1) how does changes in LSA affect PV? 2) how does rod length affect PV? Thanks for sharing your insights with the community.

[rimka]

Yes that would be nice to see, at what degree of retartd and exhaust valve will contact a piston, and on what advance an intake.

[kidsteach]

This is amazing, Richard! Thanks so much for showing us this. What a great concept to open up the engine and let us see the whole process.

[blownfox]

That was a alsome video very cool to be able to see inside the combustion chamber.That deffenly explains a lot so many be you can show what advancing really does come into play

[WildEngineering]

Can you please compare PTV on different LSAs on otherwise similar cams.