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I got a lifter problem...I think?

Someotherguy

Someotherguy

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Hey guys :)

I was driving the RR around town today, after a while i noticed a pretty bad lifter tick..It progressed to the cylinder actually going down before i got it home :(

This is a 86 roller cam 318 engine...

Here is a video of the lifter in question...

[video=youtube;I8SF6nTdB3k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I8SF6nTdB3k[/video]
 
The amount of play in that push rod is unacceptable. I think you need to look at replacing the lifters and push rods. You could replace the one in question, but a full set doesn't cost that much. Do them all at once and be done with it. The rocker arm looks okay.
 
Remove the rocker shaft and FIND what's wrong. It could be the rocker indent is worn out and or the pushrod ball end or the lifter. Could be a bent pushrod. I have to say, I have NEVER seen a factory roller lifter go bad. They are pretty damned reliable.
 
I'd say you got a problem. I would check them first. Something could have happened that allowed the lifter to turn in its bore, which is no good for a roller lifter. The way that thing flops around, it seems like more than a collapsed lifter. Not trying to be a gloom and doom, just being honest. You MAY need a cam.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Remove the rocker shaft and FIND what's wrong. It could be the rocker indent is worn out and or the pushrod ball end or the lifter. Could be a bent pushrod. I have to say, I have NEVER seen a factory roller lifter go bad. They are pretty damned reliable.
Click to expand...

I did remove the rocker shaft prior to the video, the indentation looks like all the other rockers...the pushrod looked to be straight as an arrow...

This motor was EXTREMELY dirty when i got it...I have cleaned and cleaned and cleaned this engine, but it still might have some crap floating around in the system, and may have clogged the lifter...but i did see the lifter squirting oil when i made the video...

not sure if you seen the thread i posted about how dirty this thing was....click below for the carnage :)

http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?37483-My-engine-is-just-nuts-P

- - - Updated - - -

Hemi Rebel said:
I'd say you got a problem. I would check them first. Something could have happened that allowed the lifter to turn in its bore, which is no good for a roller lifter. The way that thing flops around, it seems like more than a collapsed lifter. Not trying to be a gloom and doom, just being honest. You MAY need a cam.
Click to expand...

I am inclined to agree with you...I dont think this is something i can spray some lube on and fix it lol :(:(
 
Can you push the plunger in the lifter down using the pushrod? or is it pumped up tight? If this thing was that funky inside, All it takes is some crud to keep the roller from moving and its all downhill from there. I hope it is something simple and cheap, but if not, might as well take advantage af the fact that you can use a roller cam:headbang:

- - - Updated - - -

Just went back and looked at the pictures from inside. 318's are tough, but damn. That asking a lot of an engine right there.
 
Welp...looks like it's tomorrow i pull the intake, i just put the damn thing on there too...:(

I'm about ready to give up on this motor though...maybe i will find a 318 local that hasn't ate a plate of squirrel nutz... :p
 
Any one know if all the tbi 318's have the mechanical fuel pump eccentric on the cam..? Also, will a LA 318 intake fit on the tbi motor..?

If you haven't guessed, I have found 2 tbi 318's local for sale, cheap...:p
 
Well look man, lifters are easy animals. Get the intake off, take the lifter out and take that sumbitch apart. Yeah I remember the squirrel motor. lol If it was that dirty, there could be some crap in the lifter. But if it was mine, I would take all of them out and apart. Just a snap ring holds them together. Remove the snap ring but be careful. There's a spring under there. Then remove the plunger and see if there's some crud in them.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Well look man, lifters are easy animals. Get the intake off, take the lifter out and take that sumbitch apart. Yeah I remember the squirrel motor. lol If it was that dirty, there could be some crap in the lifter. But if it was mine, I would take all of them out and apart. Just a snap ring holds them together. Remove the snap ring but be careful. There's a spring under there. Then remove the plunger and see if there's some crud in them.
Click to expand...

you tryna kill my new motor buzz aintcha..:p I just want to have my bases covered with a tbi motor swap just incase this issue gets too expensive

But yeah, i will pull the intake tomorrow-n-poke around in there...:)
 
Come buy my 318. It's not a roller motor, but it's a stout little magnum headed beast.
 
RustyRatRod said:
Come buy my 318. It's not a roller motor, but it's a stout little magnum headed beast.
Click to expand...

you mean that one you had for sale here a few months back..?
ohnoes.gif
 
hey guys :)

i got the lifter out, I'm assuming it was clogged up, i removed the top clip, and popped the plunger out...cleaned it out, reassembled it and squirted machine oil in the oil hole on the side of the lifter to pump it back up..good enough or ???

Also, i did not see which direction the oil hole was pointing in the lifter hole when i pulled it out...does anyone know if the oil hole points toward the front or rear of the engine..? I'm getting conflicting info in search...

One more thing. should i lube the lifter up with assembly oil before pushing it back into the hole..?

thanks :)
 
It don't matter about the oil hole. The lifter is good as long as the preload spring is intact and you can push down on the plunger and it returns to the top. Damned if I would not do them ALL while I was in there. Just make SURE you get the lock rings seated good.
 
ok....now i'm totally confused....there is no internal "spring" in these lifters(i checked both intake and exhaust lifter for a internal spring)....Is their supposed to be..?

Also, the loose lifter originally in question...The little plunger sits way further down into the lifter vs the other lifter next to it...A picture below to explain...

1d85bec3-1e0a-40c5-b196-c609f829fd3c_zps9685bce2.jpg
 
Someotherguy said:
ok....now i'm totally confused....there is no internal "spring" in these lifters(i checked both intake and exhaust lifter for a internal spring)....Is their supposed to be..?

Also, the loose lifter originally in question...The little plunger sits way further down into the lifter vs the other lifter next to it...A picture below to explain...


1d85bec3-1e0a-40c5-b196-c609f829fd3c_zps9685bce2.jpg
Click to expand...

I guess it would be safe to assume the cam is most likely still good, knowing the lifter is collapsed.
 
Yeah, there's a preload spring in there somewhere. lol If the plunger will not come up against the wire retainer, the lifter is bad. Your lifter should be similar to this:
 

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