So I'm in the process of assembling my new 2.4LR engine and I wanted to make sure I check piston valve clearance correctly. I'm using stock cams (with new ferrea valves) and Wiseco pistons so I'm assuming that I should be fine but I'd rather be safe. I just have a question about procedure.

I know I'm looking for .06" clearance intake and .10" for exhaust. Using the clay method, do I have to put on the head and assembly the front case to put on the timing belt and turn the engine? Or is there some shorter method that won't require having to put on and remove all those parts?

Edit: also while I'm asking, I have aftermarket springs from the previous owner. They're dual springs, but thats all I know. Do they work just fine with stock cams or do I have to worry about valve float or bouncing or anything?

 

The textbook method of doing this involves setting up a cylinder with a solid follower and low tension spring, assembling the timing gear, turning the engine over, and checking the results. Using a hydraulic follower and actual spring is significantly less accurate, and whatever issue may be revealed that way can only get worse with the engine running.

My question to you however is unless you have hugely oversized valves (which you shouldn't) or 13:1 SCR pistons, I don't understand why you want to invest time and effort into going through the trouble with the factory cams. The OE cams have <10mm lift, relatively short effective duration, and lobe centerlines that don't test valve/piston clearance with any of the popular pistons used here. If you turn the engine over by hand and there is no contact, it's almost certainly clear by a substantial margin. If there is contact, you've done something (e.g. cam timing) horribly wrong.

Just my $0.02

 

That's pretty much what I was hoping to hear. I have stock sized valves, stock cams and wiseco's with oversized valve reliefs. Do I have anything to worry about?

 

The only thing you need to worry about is getting the cam gear timing marks on target, which is easy.

If you've gone through the trouble to build a LR 2.4, I strongly suggest considering a cam upgrade, regardless of what else your intentions may be with this setup. And even so, you'll still not need to worry about piston/valve clearance at all.