Yes. "Adjusting lifter preload" is the correct term for what you do to hydraulic camshaft type engines. LASH is the term used when mechanical/solid lifer cams are installed. Since your cam is, inall probability, hydraulic, you'll be adjusting and setting lifter preload, if you haven't already.

If you haven't tackled that chore yet, be sure to let us know before you begin so we can walk you through it to prevent any mistake and avoid a lot of frustration.

Jake

West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!

 

THANK GOD, i finally got the engine in. Damp, raw weather, working by flashlight. The transmission TCC connector came in the mail, I'm thinking that may be why my trans was slipping. Hope so. I'll be out there at first light tomorrow, trying to get everything back together, and started. I'll keep you guys posted... i'm sure i'll have few more questions before i'm through.

Thanks,

Mike

 

CONGRATS! Keep us updated on your progress.

Jake

West Point ROCKS! Nation's TOP COLLEGE per Forbes Magazine!

 

Alrighty then, i got this thing all back together. I put the #1 piston at tdc, dropped the distributor in, set the preload on the lifters according to the manual, said a quick prayer and turned the key. It almost started, for about 15 minutes it sounded like it wanted to kick over, but it just wouldn't. It came real close a couple of times, but then the battery drained, it's on the charger now. I'm going to try again in the morning. I'm getting spark, don't know if i have enough fuel pressure, i'll put a fuel pressure gauge on it tomorrow, although i didn't have any fuel pressure issues before. Any input?

Thanks,

Mike

 

I have a very small plastic tube coming out of the wiring harness, behind the distributor cap. It's not attached to anything, and it's not plugged. It's VERY small, the inside diameter is maybe 1/16 in. My neighbor said it might have something to do with the heat/ac vents. He might be right, the fan motor works, but there's really no air coming out. Any input would be helpful.

Thanks,

Mike

 

Ok, i have another stoopid question. When setting the preload on the lifters, the manual says to tighten down the nut while turning pushrod until it STOPS turning, then one complete {360 degree} turn. To set the preload. Everywhere else i read, said to tighten down nut just until there is resistance on pushrod, then turn anywhere between 1/8-3/4 turn to set preload. Is it possible that i've tightened them too much, and thats the reason this thing will not start. It's coming real close to starting, but just won't kick over. Any input is appreciated.

Thanks,

Mike

 

I need some help with this one, although i have not gotten the engine started yet, it seems to have seized up on me. After turning it by hand for the last three days, it suddenly became impossible to turn, even with the plugs out, and belt off. The starter just screamed, ya know that grinding sound. After a while, the starter began turning it again, but it's making this god awful thumping sound. All i did for the last few days was try to set the preload on the lifters, i had them a little tight, but not that tight. I mean, it was coming close to starting, even more so today, when i loosened them up a little. I just don't understand why this would start happening out of nowhere like this. A friend of mine thinks that when i put the main caps on, i torqued them too tight {I had to take two of them off and replace the bolts that the builder installed because he did not use the bolts with the studs to hold the baffle in place, inside the oil pan } I took the old ones off the original engine, and torqued them to what the manual said. I believe it was 80 ft. lbs. That was two weeks ago, and this just started this evening, after turning it by hand all this time, tonight it seems to be stuck. Anyone have any idea whats going on here? This thing is making me sick.

Thanks,

Mike

 

might try taking plugs out and seeing if it spins over with no compression. it would tell you if the motor was seized, other wise loosen all lifters and start over.

 

The plugs are out, i'm going out there now. I'm hoping to find the starter stuck in the engaged position. If not, i'm out of ideas. How does an engine seize without ever running? I cracked a socket trying to turn it. It was turning all day yesterday, then i stripped the bolt, and had to take it out. When i installed the new bolt, that was when i noticed it would not turn.

 

so, do you mean you stripped the crank bolt? Do you have the belt and accessories installed already?

 

I rounded off the head of the crank bolt, i took it out and installed a new one. I had everything, Belt,and pulleys, all back together. It's definitely seized, i took off the belt, and removed the plugs, and i can't budge it. The starter doesn't have the torque to turn the fly wheel. When i adjusted the valves, i followed the manual to the letter. I turned the motor by hand, to #1 piston tdc, adjusted exhaust valves-1-3-4-8, and intake valves- 1-2-5-7. Then i turned the engine one revolution, back to 0, i believe thats #6 tdc, and adjusted exhaust valves -2-5-6-7, and intake valves-3-4-6-8. I believe they were a little too tight because it would not start. I turned the pushrods with my fingers as i tightened the rocker arm nuts, until they stopped, then one complete 360 degree turn to set the lifter. The next day i loosened them all and started over. I turned the pushrods with my fingers just until i felt resistance, then one half {180 degree } turn. It was a little better, it came close to starting. As i was tweaking the valves, and trying to start it, it seized up. I don't know if i messed up with the valves, or maybe my friend was right. Maybe when i replaced the bolts on the main caps, they were too tight. I used a torque wrench from autozone. $35 cheapy, i snapped a fel-pro head bolt with that wrench, so it is possible. I changed the main cap bolts several weeks ago, and have turned the engine dozens of times since then. I will say this, from the very first time i turned the key, three days ago, there was a "thumping" as the motor was turning. So what do you guys think? did i screw it up on the top, or bottom? I just drained the oil, i'm thinking about dropping the oil pan first, before i pull the top end of the motor off. Maybe it was not me, maybe i got a hack job from the builder. Any suggestions would be appreciated, don't worry about my feelings, i can take it.

Thanks,
Mike

 

progress report?
are you going to build a better motor now?

 

would like step by step instructions on how to remove motor and hood 89 vett. nice car no room for error thanks

 

You are in luck. If you purchase a Helm's manual, it spells it out perfectly.

 

stk. long blk. maybe bigger throttle body ,a few bolt on power adders. no one has a alm. head roller motor in stock so have to get this one out for rebuild.

 

helms is that like chiltons?

 

Nah. Helms is much, much better. They are much more expensive, but worth every dime. Used on e-bay is your best bet.

 

 

What am i missing here? How did this dudes hood become part of this thread?

Mike

 

where are you located