Collapsed lifter
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 673
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From: Venetia,Pa,USA
Collapsed lifter
I have just assembled the engine recently. I haven't driven it at all. It sounds like a old 283 with a bad lifter. Is there any thing that can be put in the oil which would cause the lifter to fill with oil again or do I need to pull the engine apart again?? I readjusted the valves three times to be sure they are set correctly. Can I play with the adjustment with the engine running to see if the lifter can be made to fill with oil?? Not really sure if that is the problem but I don't know what else it would be.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
If you've readjusted the valves three times and its still tapping somethings up.
How did you adjust the valves?
Have you pulled the valve covers IOT see if one of the rocker nuts is loose?
New lifters or reused?
What year is the engine (is it flat tappet or roller)?
If Flat tappet did you use a good break in lubricant with the oil and the proper break in procedure?
If flat tappet did you reuse them?
MIke
How did you adjust the valves?
Have you pulled the valve covers IOT see if one of the rocker nuts is loose?
New lifters or reused?
What year is the engine (is it flat tappet or roller)?
If Flat tappet did you use a good break in lubricant with the oil and the proper break in procedure?
If flat tappet did you reuse them?
MIke
Last edited by aboatguy; Apr 5, 2013 at 07:40 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 6,475
Likes: 564
From: Clearwater Florida
..... Before you start it up back each adjusting nut off one full turn ... then adjust the valves while running by backing the nuts off one at a time til you hear it ticking then down til it just stops ticking and then another 1/2 turn down ...... when adding that half turn go slowly or it might cause the engine to stall ......... I think you went too tight with the pushrod turning method .......
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 195
From: folsom california
Make sure the valve you are adjusting is on the base circle of the cam...in other words the pushrod will be as far down as it can go.
Now back of the rocker arm until you are certain that there is no contact with the push rod; spin the push rod between your fingertips, it should spin easily, freely and without any perceived reistance; now carefully, slowly tighten down the adjusting nut of the rocker you are adjusting until the rocker just touches the push rod; at this point you will feel the SLIGHTEST amount of resistance to the previously free spinning push rod. You are now at zero lash , continue to tighten down on the radjusting nut any where from 1/4 to 3/4 turn depending on your own personal preference.
Repeat 15 more times.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,482
Likes: 195
From: folsom california
At this point, the lifters have little, if any oil in them, but don't worry. Expect some clatter on initial start up but if they have been properly (re)adjusted they will fill with oil and the noise should disappear after the first few minutes of operation. One clue: oil should begin to squirt out of the pushrod into the rocker arm.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Mike
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 8,735
Likes: 412
From: WV
If doing a cold adjustment, something that works better for some people is instead of spinning the pushrod to get zero lash, move the pushrod up and down until there is zero lash. I find this stops the problem of over adjusting the lash.. Another thing you may want to do is back all the nuts off a little while before adjusting the rockers, this allows the springs in the lifters to fully expand so your not adjusting a partially compressed lifter...You also may want to check the Factory Service Manual to see what the actual adjustment should be. My 89 is suppose to have one full turn on the factory lifters after zero lash....
...WW
...WW
Last edited by WW7; Apr 6, 2013 at 09:07 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 12,261
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From: O'Fallon Missouri
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 3
From: Buena Park CA
Valve Lash
Hey guys, if you ever need to adjust your valve lashes again, I got a tool from this website that really helps you to do that. It's just a magnetic vinyl strip with graphics that wraps around your harmonic balancer that shows each valve to be adjusted.
I've used this on my C6 after I replaced the OEM rockers with a set of 1.85:1 rollers and it works perfectly. Started up immediately, ran smoothly, and no noise, and didn't have to do a "fine tune" of readjustment or whatever later on. Anyway, just thought I'd mention that.
I've used this on my C6 after I replaced the OEM rockers with a set of 1.85:1 rollers and it works perfectly. Started up immediately, ran smoothly, and no noise, and didn't have to do a "fine tune" of readjustment or whatever later on. Anyway, just thought I'd mention that.
Last edited by Tact; Apr 8, 2013 at 03:28 PM. Reason: Website link not allowed
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
I have used both methods. Running the engine is a easy way to tell because when you back off (slowly)the lifter, you will certainly hear it change pitch and go to clattering. I tighten (slowly) until the clatter stops, then 1/2 turn more..slowly.
