Lifter wont go all the way into the bore?!?!?1

[WhiteDevil]

Well i got a lot of work done on the 347 short block today. did the whole front of it and the oil pan and oiling system. Then i went to do the valve train and started dropping in the lifters. Of course the last lifter on the dirivers side #5 cylinder wont go in. It drops half way in and just stops. This is so anoying i would have the whole long block done right now if it wasnt for this. What could cause this?

 

[urban96]

you try turning the motor, maybe its just on the camshaft lobe. or shine a light down there and see whats goin on

 

[WhiteDevil]

Yeah i did both. The hole looks fine to me. I stuck my finger in there and still nothing. Its really wierd. I tried moving different lifters around and they all fit in the other bores just not that one.

 

[scarless]

Look for cracks in the lifter valley, webbing, and in that hole.

 

[jssblues]

i am having the same problem, i am wondering if you could try tapping it with a mallet, cause my hole looks clean as well

 

[blksn955.o]

I just replaced my lifters this spring. I had a sim. issue and I just moved some around and had to wiggle them/push kinda hard to get one in. I prob. spent 30-40min. moving things around and wiggling to get all of them in.

 

[Vipersix]

Your first step should be to turn the crank in order to move the affected cam lobe to the lowest level. Lube the lifter with some motor oil and drop it into the hole. If it does not drop down until it is almost level with the lifter valley, try rotating the lifter. If that still does not work try a different lifter. If you still have no luck at this point, there is something inhibiting a smooth entry of the lifter into the socket and you need to get that looked at. Whether it be a small burr or crack or simply an aberration, it can cause significant problems if you try to force the lifter.

 

[Redsnk95]

All the lifters should be able to slide in no problem you should not have to use a mallet or anything of that nature.

 

[Methodical]

Fellas, not sure if you realized the date but it's been 2 years. He may have already (hopefully) fixed it.

 

[Vipersix]

Nice catch.

 

[WhiteDevil]

Woah old thread. The problem ended up being the builder tapped an oil galley plug that runs right next to that lifter. There are a little xtra metal material that was pushed in the way. He had to get in there with a little hone and clean it out. It was a bitch but its all fixed. This was in a brand new engine. If you aare changin lifters in an old engine there should be no problems.