383 lifter question

[beebest]

I have a lifter that was ticking pretty bad on my 70 road runner that I purchased last summer. I tried marvel mystery oil and it helped a bit but still too noisy. I pulled all the lifters thru the head and about 6 of them appear like the attached photo. I'm going to replace them all, but is this considered normal wear? I purchased car from dealer and all he knew about motor was that it had been rebuilt. Heads definitely were, because spring retainers are stamped Crower 63. Thinking of purchasing Howard lifters thru Summit, supposedly they are US made, but who knows until I look at the box. Also I really don't want to replace the Cam. Second picture looks worse because of the light. Let me know your thoughts. Thanks!!

 

[PurpleBeeper]

They look like they are not getting lubricated very well

 

[beebest]

They look like they are not getting lubricated very well

Thanks, I'll have to check pressure, all I have is factory dash gauge. Shows 20 psi at start up but goes up to 40 fairly quick. Possibly previous owner used wrong oil? I have Lucas 10w 30 for classic cars in it now. I planned on changing to 10w 40 after I change it to remove the marvel mystery oil.

 

[1967coronet]

Pop the intake and get a good look at the cam.
If it has a decent pattern get that set of new lifters. If you have dbl springs pull the inners for the run in.
Plenty of cam lube and your zinc oil.
If you have any funny looking lobes it's best to find it now.
Good luck

 

[T Brashears]

I’d want a good look at the lobes. What kind of rockers?Did you check for pre load when you took it apart?

 

[beebest]

Pop the intake and get a good look at the cam.
If it has a decent pattern get that set of new lifters. If you have dbl springs pull the inners for the run in.
Plenty of cam lube and your zinc oil.
If you have any funny looking lobes it's best to find it now.
Good luck

Trying to avoid pulling intake, but I agree with you, I think that's best. Thanks!

 

[beebest]

I’d want a good look at the lobes. What kind of rockers?Did you check for pre load when you took it apart?

Standard rockers, I actually ran it with the one valve cover off, lifter that was ticking on passenger side was the one of two lifters on that side that showed the wear. All of them had preload before disassembly. Driver side has about four lifters that look bad.

 

[T Brashears]

Might avoid double work and an engine full of metal.

 

[T Brashears]

You’re buying a cam me thinks.

 

[beebest]

Standard rockers, I actually ran it with the one valve cover off, lifter that was ticking on passenger side was the one of two lifters on that side that showed the wear. All of them had preload before disassembly. Driver side has about four lifters that look bad.
[/QUOTE
I'll pull intake tomorrow.

 

[T Brashears]

I’ve always had success with Johnson lifters. I had one tick and would bleed down sitting overnight. Ticked from startup on the stand .one phone call and I had a new one in 3 days.

 

[beebest]

You’re buying a cam me thinks.

Most likely, if that's the case, I may just pull motor and go thru the whole thing.

 

[T Brashears]

I’d have gone solid if I could have got a milder cam.

 

[T Brashears]

Rabbit hole

 

[hofferwood]

Put a good straight edge across the bottom-----------if it's dished---yer not in a good position.

 

[Lefty71]

My gut says post #2 tells you what you need to resolve. I dont think a heavier oil is a resolution. I would get a little messy, maybe make up some half valve covers even and some drop cloths... Run it at an idle and see if the valve train lubrication is correct at all rockers.... If its not, maybe you have a cam bearing thats clocked badly or crudded up passages that weren't cleaned??? Either way, its a good start before teardown. Dont just throw parts at it.

 

[33 IMP]

Most likely, if that's the case, I may just pull motor and go thru the whole thing.

Have the oil in it analyzed first, looking for metal.
I'd do that before pulling the intake.

 

[hofferwood]

Get an oil filter opener----then look for metal in the element.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CWLH48WK/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

 

[beebest]

Have the oil in it analyzed first, looking for metal.
I'd do that before pulling the intake.

Unfortunately I just changed the oil a couple of days ago, not sure much of anything would show up now in an oil analysis.

 

[beebest]

Rabbit hole

Yep, if I have to change cam, I'll pull motor, I plan on changing color of car anyway, just was going to drive it for a summer first. Probably not now though. Need something to keep my retired self busy anyway. Hopefully I'll be able to tell after I pull intake.