Lifters "again"

[747mopar]

Finally got to pull the valve cover "two spongy lifters". This is the second time, first time I readjusted them two times and never got rid of the tick, I eventually sent them back to Comp where they tested them and said they were bad. Second set "same thing" now they are saying if they are bad again they will hand pick the next ones. I remember someone suggesting "Johnson lifters"? Before I jump the gun, is there anything that can be causing this on my end? Both times it seamed to be the passenger side, I have my oil pressure gauge plumbed into the back of the driver side oil passage "75 psi" is there anywhere to plumb it into the passenger side to rule that out? Aggrevating, the car is basically ready for a drive if I ever resolve this issue.

 

[lewtot184]

aggressive cam lobes and excess spring pressure will kill hydraulic tappets. too much preload can be a factor too.

 

[ZR9B]

this cam eats lifters....I had my heads set up for this cam too....I think I will be going with something less aggressive soon...3 sets of lifters and some single ones here and there...


http://www.lunatipower.com/Product.aspx?id=1580&gid=287

 

[lewtot184]

something else to keep in mind is rocker ratio. when changing from the stock stamped steel to an aftermarket adjustable the ratio will increase. increasing the ratio increases the pressure on the tappet and lobe. mechanical tappets eliminate all this problems. hydraulic tappets, flat or roller, were never designed to take the beating that folks are putting them thru today.

 

[george68hemirr]

Everything everyone said plus......zinc-zinc-zinc in your oil

 

[747mopar]

Thanks for the pointers, I'm not running what I'd consider an over aggressive cam (comp 21-224-4, under .500 lift), used 1.5 ratio comp rockers and added Lucas break in oil additive. Wouldn't think I'd have so much trouble with this setup, I might run to Summit tomorrow and pick up some new lifters "not Comps" my friend has never had problems with the Mopar brand but three different sets of lifters while trying to break in a cam has me worried (it's probably got 30-40 min on it now). Last time I talked to Comp they were willing to send me a new cam, should I start all over with a new one?

 

[747mopar]

Thinking about pulling all spongy lifters out one at a time and trying to prime them in some oil, I've never done this because Comp recommends installing them as is so "do they pump up solid when doing this"? I'm hoping I can find the bad ones then tear them apart, clean them and try again. Also I'm going to try and find a way to confirm oil pressure on the passenger side. Tired of messing with it, paying shipping, waiting for new ones, installing them and then cussing when they still tick. I really hope at the end of the night I have more of an explanation.

 

[cdr]

i have shared this many times http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,95605.0.html

 

[hammond472]

Had the same problem with a 68 Dart GTS convertible. An old timer told us to pour a whole can of Marvel Mystery oil down the carb and rev the hell out of it. We did and the stuck lifter and the three flat lifters pumped up and did not make noise after that but it sure made a lot of smoke!

 

[747mopar]

i have shared this many times http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,95605.0.html

Thanks, you I believe are the one I remember mentioning them and if I can't straighten these out by cleaning and pre testing them I'll definetly be calling them or will try them on the next motor.

- - - Updated - - -

Had the same problem with a 68 Dart GTS convertible. An old timer told us to pour a whole can of Marvel Mystery oil down the carb and rev the hell out of it. We did and the stuck lifter and the three flat lifters pumped up and did not make noise after that but it sure made a lot of smoke!

Curious how that would work being the lifters are in the motor and the mystery oil would only be going threw the carb, heads and out the exhaust? Maybe it's more the revving then the oil.

- - - Updated - - -

I found a diagram of the oiling system in my manual, according to it testing oil pressure on that passage would be a waste of time. Oil from the pump first oils the front main and cam bearing then travels down the passenger side lifter passage (where it is ticking) to the back where it crosses over (where my pressure gauge is) and comes back up the other side where it isn't ticking. If the oil has to come from that side first then there is 75 psi where they are ticking. Unfortunetly I won't get to work on it this weekend.:angryfire:

 

[Roadrunner440-6]

Bought that t-shirt~ better check your oil. You might be wearing those lobes down!

 

[747mopar]

Bought that t-shirt~ better check your oil. You might be wearing those lobes down!

That's my biggest fear, When I pulled the first set of lifters they looked perfect at that time (no sign of scuffing, gulling, just a nice smooth surface. That's the main reason I want to try and get these working (so I don't have to switch them again) the motor hadn't been run long when these ones went in so they had a good chance of breaking in but if I switch them again I'll be asking for another cam.

 

[747mopar]

Not good news, had a little time tonight so I found a bad lifter (spongy) pulled it out and tore it apart and cleaned it with carb cleaner. Put it in a container of oil and started pumping "same thing" pumped up ALMOST to the top leaving it spongy again. Pulled it apart again, this time knowing the check valve at the bottom of the plunger was the only thing I couldn't pull apart for cleaning I really cleaned it good then put the compressed air to it "what do ya know" it does come apart, a piece over there another somewhere over there and who knows where the little spring went erh. Now what, call Comp and tell them I need a spring because I lost it or tell them "I found the problem, missing spring" just kidding, I wouldn't do that. I guess I'll just look again tomorrow and call them if I can't find it. When it rains it pours.

 

[ZR9B]

I got to the point where I would pull the spongy lifter and put one in from Napa or car quest...guess what...they are not the ones giving me trouble anymore...I have a few of everything in there now..