Fired up the 490 2 weeks ago, but when we were adjusting the valves for the 3rd and final time, #3 intake wouldn't adjust right. Hmmm. Pulled the stud girdle, roller rocker, and found a slightly bent push rod. Hmmm. Upon further investigation, we could see part of the roller lifter was MIA. HMMM. Pulled the intake, checked the cam, OK, found the missing chunk of lifter, and as of today have all the new parts to replace broken or questionable parts. So, hopefully I will post good news this Friday. Crossed fingers. :yesnod:

 

Dang....hate to hear that!

Any idea what happened to it? Did it maybe dry start after sitting all this time? You just don't hear of too many rollers dying soon after startup.

Good luck getting it going. You're getting close!

JIM

 

Maybe, but not sure. Intake valve must have hung for a second. We had hand turned engine before initial fire up to static set the valves, and everything seemed fine at that time. Car was started three times for a few minutes each time to check, time, reset valves hot, etc. #3 intake would not adjust right, so we explored. Pushrod bent, roller lifter (solid) damaged in the spring retention area (top of lifter was MIA) and where pushrod sits was mangled on one side. I think maybe intake valve guide was dry and caused valve to jam for a second, but car never missed a beat, and we never heard anything unusual in the exhaust sound. We were running open headers, so I can't say we could clearly hear the valve train assy running, I mean, the building was shaking. Found slight amt of shavings in the pan, but nothing alarming. Some valve guide, some bearings? Bought new roller rocker, set of two roller lifters, new pushrod- all in stock at Martel Bros. out in Katy. Will replace and refire. I figure 'Damn the torpedos' and let's take our chances. Should fire next week. I'll keep you informed. As usual, my whole life is spent at work. How else can I pay for this "hobby"? If engine breaks again, it's out, rebuilt, get rid of the Jesel (what a headache it has been to make spacers for the waterpump to clear it, then EVERY other accessory had to be spaced to align the pullies) and back in the car. Fingers are crossed. :crazy:

 

Just to be sure, I think I'd pop that spring off there and make sure that guide is free now. If the valve hangs in the guide it's pretty easy to ding a piston and drop a valve later on.

I had this happen once with an engine that sat on an engine stand for a year or so without backing off rocekr arms. A valve stuck open and piston smacked it and broke it off when it cranked. Luckily it didn't destroy head or anything too bad since it did it during cranking.

For sure I'd put some lube on all those guides before running it again.

Good luck!


JIM