I recently replaced all my engine bearings. I pondered replacing my lifters while I had it tore apart, I have Rhoads and was thinking of going with regular high rev pieces. I decided to not mix new lifters with a used cam. Anyway I noticed during my lifter preload procedure that as soon as the engine stopped cranking the lifters bled out completely so all the rockers were flat. I prefer to do this procedure by hand but could not due to this problem. I went ahead and adjusted my rockers the same way I have done in the past. The engine would not start due to lack of compression. Apparently, upon cranking the engine, the lifters "pump up" and hold the valves open. I only gave 1/4 turn of preload. Are these lifters toast? Thoughts? Suggestions?
There is nothing wrong with you're lifters. These lifters bleed down really quick. The lifters should not pump up give you low compression. That sounds like an incorrect preload problem. Provided the preload is set correctly there is no way to have low compression if the rest of the valvetrain is up to snuff. Also earlier you mentioned you cracked an adj. cup. I've used these lifters with the 105a cam. Sometimes it was hard to get a feel for zero lash the plunger moved so easily. I would reset the lash. Just my opinion. Best of luck!
Thanks, I am going to readjust. But what concerns me is that these lifters did not "bleed down" this quickly in the past. Every time before, I was able to complete the preload adjustments turning the engine by hand (big wrench). Something is definitely different now. They were maybe abnormal before, and normal now??o No: Anyway, I AM going to readjust valvetrain, making sure to pressurize the oil system prior to each adjustment so I get an accurate result.
The plunger should be at the top of the lifter with no load on it. Just try to feel for for zero lash then tighten the adjr. 1/8 more and tighten the nut. There is no need to pressurize the system.
I have always done 1/4 in the past. I have seen 1/2 to 1 1/2 turns recommended on this site? Obviously the engine no longer likes the way I do it (I blame the lifters), so I will do whatever the engine likes. P.S. RG67BEAST, please activate the sigature function and include your name so we know what to call you. This is a very friendly board.
I used 1/8 turn intake, 3/16 exhaust preload with my setup. They were supposed to pump up and work like solids. That was a while ago. Now I use conventional hyd. lifters and go 1/2 turn. No problems.
I am still not happy with my lifters' altered behavioruzzled: ....But I am now fairly certain that I screwed up when I reinstalled the timing chain. When I first tore the engine apart I decided I was going to retard the cam for some more top-end, so I moved the crank gear accordingly. This was several months ago. In my haste, to reassemble the engine the other day, I am fairly certain that I reinstalled the chain and cam gear in the "straight up" or "0" position.ou: I was trying to take my time and not get in a hurry and I still did a "Homer"ou: I have not verified this yet, but it is the only possibility left.
