Quick, are my lifters bad??

[Na5.0HO]

I keep trying to tighten my stud mount lifters to stop them from ticking. Every time I set the zero lash and don't touch them for a minute, the pushrods get loose again. Does this mean the lifters are bad?? I've retightened it several times with the same result.
Thanx,
Jason

 

[Ranchero5.0]

For adjusting pushrods I first set the motor to TDC on he firing strok of that cylinder, then set the lash to zero by rocking the rocker as I tighten it down untl the rocker doesn't move, then turn the adjuster nut another 3/4 turn and lock it down.

Jamie

 

[Na5.0HO]

I've been going torough the whole sequence of TDC, zero backlash, 3/4 turn... prob is after doing that I can check the pushrod 2 minutes later and it will spin?? Does this mean my lifters are bad??

 

[Ranchero5.0]

No, disregard the old spinning pushrod idea, it screwed me up so many times I finally just did it by rocking the rocker until it would not move anymore and then declaring that zero lash. You do have to be careful that you don't push the rocker down onto the pushrod too hard because you may push the plunger down as you are tightening the adjuster nut.

Jamie

 

[Na5.0HO]

Thanx, I'll give that a try... but, I still need to know if it is normal for the lifters to relieve the tension off the pushrod that quickly?? Don't want to keep tearing down the engine for a quicker fix of old lifters (140K miles)

 

[trendkilllx]

Did you prime the motor then check them?

 

[Na5.0HO]

I didn't prime the motor right before, but ran it to check for ticking approx 20 minutes before the current "lifter droop". Could that be the cause??

 

[trendkilllx]

I would prime the motor right before adjusting them, use a drill so it builds up pressure, when I did mine they would get loose untill I primed it agian. Mine didn't tick untill I had a lifter break.

 

[Na5.0HO]

Thanx, I finally understand and feel a bit silly for not catching that before.

 

[65ShelbyClone]

prob is after doing that I can check the pushrod 2 minutes later and it will spin?? Does this mean my lifters are bad??

Have you been running the engine after setting lash?

 

[Na5.0HO]

Have you been running the engine after setting lash?

Nope, just let it sit for a minute and I think the lifters were going down because they weren't pumped up?? I think I'll try and pop my inertia switch so I can prime the engine and see if that helps..

 

[1991vert]

uh my understanding is that you're still supposed to be able to spin the pushrod after tightening down after 0 lash. if you over tighten them your valve will stick open and you could bend a pushrod or even worse, swallow a valve. ur supposed to find 0 lash by spinning the pushrod until a slight resistance and then tighten 3/4 of a turn then lock the adjusting nut. it preloads the lifter.

i have 1.6 scorpions and they sound like sewing machines. by the way there is no plunger on studmount rockers.

 

[bluevenom867]

Thats perfectly normal.Loosen them all the way,and prime the motor as suggested.Once you have done that,twist the pushrod while tighting the rocker nut until it cant be turned easily (dont try to get it to be unmovably,just enouf were you cant twist it with three fingers or so).Then give them a 1/2 turn and you sould be good to go.If you come back later and you can move the pushrods thats fine,because the lifters would have bleed down.They might be a little "tappy" at idel,but once it warms up it sould run quiet.

 

[Na5.0HO]

Thanx for the positive input guys...

 

[Skoobie]

Retard question, how do you 'prime' the motor?

 

[65ShelbyClone]

The best way is to pull out the distributor and use a drill with a priming shaft. The not-so-great way is pulling the plugs, coil wire, disconnecting the injector harness and cranking the engine until you have pressure.

As far as not running the engine after setting lash, you need to. The lifters will bleed down after you crank down on the rocker. Running the engine will pump them up again. Just long enough to see oil pressure will do.

 

[Na5.0HO]

Ok, so.. I did everything suggested only primed the engine by disconnecting the fuel pump. Well, now the thing runs like crap. Idles OK, but sounds different.. has no power and ticks alot under load. Could this be a sign my rockers are too tight??? Can I just loosen each of them a quarter turn (3/4 originally) and not go through the whole sequence again?? I'm really confused, Thanx.

 

[Stang8URMPRT]

I keep trying to tighten my stud mount lifters

 

[Ranchero5.0]

If it's running worse then you F'd up the procedure. You, like me, got confused with the spinning pushrod crap. How much drags is too much etc. The whole thing about priming the oil system is unneccesary too if you just rock the rockers until they stop moving.

Jamie