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  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
  • SN95 4.6L Mustang Tech

lifters wont hold prime

  • Thread starter Thread starter louis mefford
  • Start date Start date Mar 16, 2009
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louis mefford

New Member
Mar 16, 2009
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Mar 16, 2009
#1
  • Mar 16, 2009
  • #1
i've replaced them twice, the car will run for 10 minutes good, then the lifters start ticking, i just did a PI swap, livernois cams, beehive valvesprings, long tubes, xpipe, any one have any ideas, i've cleaned out all the oil passages, and the car has good oil pressure, any help would be appreicated, i just wanna drive it, lol :SNSign:
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
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Joplin, Missouri
Mar 16, 2009
#2
  • Mar 16, 2009
  • #2
Have you ran it w/o the cam covers to get a look at it?
 
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louis mefford

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Mar 16, 2009
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Mar 16, 2009
#3
  • Mar 16, 2009
  • #3
yes, a couple lifters dont stay pumped up, if i let it cool down, it runs fine for 10 minutes again, it is not always the same lifters that fail.
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
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Mar 16, 2009
#4
  • Mar 16, 2009
  • #4
What type of oil and is there enough of it? (6 quarts)
 
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louis mefford

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Mar 16, 2009
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Mar 16, 2009
#5
  • Mar 16, 2009
  • #5
10w40 casterol, has 6 quarts in it. This has me puzzled, lol
 

squeak93

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Jun 2, 2005
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Mar 16, 2009
#6
  • Mar 16, 2009
  • #6
I've got nothing either.....
 
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louis mefford

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Mar 16, 2009
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Mar 16, 2009
#7
  • Mar 16, 2009
  • #7
is it possible when i did the PI swap, i have to use the 97 timing tensioners, i used the 03 tensioners ,they only had 30.000 miles on them. the oil passage in the heads run straight into them. If they arent sealing, oil will just run right thru, past the lifters, maybe an idea! i'll just have to change them, i didnt want to pull the cover in the car but i dont have a choice. well thanks, ill keep you posted!
 

squeak93

15 Year Member
Jun 2, 2005
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Joplin, Missouri
Mar 16, 2009
#8
  • Mar 16, 2009
  • #8
The tensioners "should" be the same or very similar. The 97 block is new enough (if it were say a 94 or below u might be on to something). Its worth checking but that is a LOT of work to get the front cover off.....
 
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louis mefford

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Mar 16, 2009
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Mar 18, 2009
#9
  • Mar 18, 2009
  • #9
ANY ONE ELSE HAVE ANY IDEAS?????
 

crazystang25

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Jan 25, 2009
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Mar 18, 2009
#10
  • Mar 18, 2009
  • #10
possibly run a lower weight synthetic, might help a little not sure, also try upgrading the lifters themselves or just get new ones. trickflow has a set for a descent price. i think its like 200$ for the whole set. and they have lash adjusters too. haven't tried either but just a thought.
 

mustang50v8

Member
Feb 4, 2003
548
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847 Chicago Burbs
Mar 18, 2009
#11
  • Mar 18, 2009
  • #11
crazystang25 said:
possibly run a lower weight synthetic, might help a little not sure, also try upgrading the lifters themselves or just get new ones. trickflow has a set for a descent price. i think its like 200$ for the whole set. and they have lash adjusters too. haven't tried either but just a thought.
Click to expand...

i thought lifters were the same as lash adjusters


anyway, it seems that the oil you are using is a bit thick. ford calls for 5w20 so try some thinner oil
 

crazystang25

Member
Jan 25, 2009
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Mar 18, 2009
#12
  • Mar 18, 2009
  • #12
well i meant the roller followers, excuse me. been a long day.
 
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louis mefford

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Mar 16, 2009
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Mar 19, 2009
#13
  • Mar 19, 2009
  • #13
thanks, ill try a thinner oil
 

R.J.

Member
Aug 20, 2003
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Warwick, Rhode Island
Mar 19, 2009
#14
  • Mar 19, 2009
  • #14
Are all of the holes on the lash adjusters facing down? (towards the header)
 
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louis mefford

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Mar 16, 2009
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Mar 20, 2009
#15
  • Mar 20, 2009
  • #15
hello, no the holes arent pointing towards the headers, i will try that, thanks for the thoughts!
 
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louis mefford

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Mar 16, 2009
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Mar 21, 2009
#16
  • Mar 21, 2009
  • #16
allright, i changed the timing tensioners, and replaced the lifters again, still doing the same thing, im getting oil to the right head, but the lifters wont hold their prime runs good for 10 minutes, then tick, tick, tick, i used a set of pi heads from a 2001 crownvic, bought the ford racing head gasket set, i dont know what the problem is, still racking my brain, lol!!!! ANYMORE IDEAS?
 
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louis mefford

New Member
Mar 16, 2009
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Mar 21, 2009
#17
  • Mar 21, 2009
  • #17
one more question, when i put the cam caps on do i need to use the npi oil restrictor and the npi cam caps? The only difference i see in the two is that the npi has an extra bolt hole that just wont be used. i dunno, lol, this has been a headache!!!! Any advise would help, thanks!!!
 
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