Do I have collapsed/dead lifters??

C0V3R · Jun 25, 2005

I've been trying to get my valves adjusted to get back my compression, and have been having some difficulty.

First go: Adjusted as per ford manual (each cycl @ TDC, then adjusted with feeler guage)
Result: vacuum improved from 10-12 to a solid 19in hg at idle. Ticking was really really loud.
Odd observation: when adjusting, I noticed that all rockers except the ones on number 4 did not appear to have any spring to them - ie the lifters would not compress. On number 4 the lifters would compress and were springy. This seemed odd but I continued on.

Then: Tightened up each valve 1/2 turn
Result: Lifters still quite loud. Vacuum went down to 17in

Then: Tightened each valve 1/4 turn
Result: still quite loud, vacuum to 15 in

Then: Gave up and tried comp cams method of adjustment. (have inlet open, tighten exhaust till zero lash + 1/2 turn and vice versa)
Result: Vacuum down to 10in, me pulling my hair out. Noticed again that #4 would compress but all others wouldnt.

So - do I have shot lifters on all but cyclinder 4??

dennis112 · Jun 26, 2005

C0V3R said:
I've been trying to get my valves adjusted to get back my compression, and have been having some difficulty.

First go: Adjusted as per ford manual (each cycl @ TDC, then adjusted with feeler guage)
Result: vacuum improved from 10-12 to a solid 19in hg at idle. Ticking was really really loud.
Odd observation: when adjusting, I noticed that all rockers except the ones on number 4 did not appear to have any spring to them - ie the lifters would not compress. On number 4 the lifters would compress and were springy. This seemed odd but I continued on.

Then: Tightened up each valve 1/2 turn
Result: Lifters still quite loud. Vacuum went down to 17in

Then: Tightened each valve 1/4 turn
Result: still quite loud, vacuum to 15 in

Then: Gave up and tried comp cams method of adjustment. (have inlet open, tighten exhaust till zero lash + 1/2 turn and vice versa)
Result: Vacuum down to 10in, me pulling my hair out. Noticed again that #4 would compress but all others wouldnt.

So - do I have shot lifters on all but cyclinder 4??

You gave us lots of observations but not enough about the cam you are using. What engine and what cam are you running? Is your valvetrain stock?

At first it sounded like you had a solid flat tappet cam (adjusted with feeler gauge) then you went on to tighten using the "so many turns" method, like a hydralic lifter. Or are you running a roller cam?

Each type of cam has to be set up a certain way. I seriously doubt that you have that many bad lifters.

I am not being critical, just trying to help . . . . .

C0V3R · Jun 26, 2005

To be honest I am not sure what cam I have or what sort of lifters. I had no reason to believe I would have a solid lifter engine, however it is vaguely possible. The car is an A code with what is apparently a 302 4v. It is running crane roller tipped rockers, and other than that I dont know anything internally.

As far as the two adjustment methods go, I have been told either is valid for hydraulics, and only the first is valid for solids. The clearance is supposed to be different between solid and hydraulic in the first method.

C0V3R · Jun 26, 2005

Well the answer is yes, I do. I've pulled off the intake and pulled all the lifters. All but one were siezed . . Anyway a new set are going in. Should be interesting to see how much better it will run.

dennis112 · Jun 26, 2005

C0V3R said:
Well the answer is yes, I do. I've pulled off the intake and pulled all the lifters. All but one were siezed . . Anyway a new set are going in. Should be interesting to see how much better it will run.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! That must be a record.

Hydralic lifters are normally adjusted for "zero lash" and I have never seen a feeler gauge spec for it. The down and dirty way is to get the car running and adjust each rocker until the clatter is gone then add 1/4 to 1 full turn more, depending on whom you talk to. No matter what, that is tight. Personnally, I use somewhere around 1/2 to 3/4 turn after the clatter goes away.

Hmmm, now I wonder if someone mixed both solid lifters and hydralic lifters in the engine?

All I can say is Good Luck with your project.

C0V3R · Jun 26, 2005

No definately no solids. I've pulled apart a couple of the lifters. Looks like they were full of thick crappy thick oil and some non metallic debris. When I got the car the oil was in a pretty bad state, the filters had broken down and were rusting !! Looks like the lifters didn't like it.

I've also noticed that some of the pushrods have taken some damage on the tips so new rods will be going in as well.

*sigh*

At least I got it before everything really died.

Thanks for your help by the way. I'll be adjusting them that way when I get everything back together.

Hack · Jun 26, 2005

C0V3R said:
No definately no solids. I've pulled apart a couple of the lifters. Looks like they were full of thick crappy thick oil and some non metallic debris. When I got the car the oil was in a pretty bad state, the filters had broken down and were rusting !! Looks like the lifters didn't like it.

I've also noticed that some of the pushrods have taken some damage on the tips so new rods will be going in as well.

*sigh*

At least I got it before everything really died.

Thanks for your help by the way. I'll be adjusting them that way when I get everything back together.

You didn't mention it, so I'm going to say you should definately do a full rebuild. If you had debris in the motor, there's a good chance some of it got into the main bearings. Everything should be pulled apart, inspected, cleaned, etc.

Do I have collapsed/dead lifters??

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