Tips for adjusting valves on a big block chevy

If you've started hearing a rhythmic clicking coming from under the hood, adjusting valves on a big block chevy is probably the next logical step in your weekend maintenance routine. There is something truly special about the sound of a high-performance rat motor, but that signature rumble can quickly turn into a clattery mess if the valvetrain isn't dialed in. Whether you're running a classic 396 or a stout 454, getting your lifter preload or valve lash just right makes a world of difference in how the car idles, pulls through the gears, and sounds at a stoplight. ...

February 20, 2026 · 7 min · Rita Leandro