I removed my valve cover on today noticed a couple of pushrods bent. one of the pushrods were not on the lifter. the rocker arm was not on there very tight. reinstalled a new pushrod and torqued it up to spec. went to install the other pushrod and a noticed it went right to the bottom. it did not seem right. so i looked down the hole and the valve lifter was missing. Tomorrow I am going to remove the intake manifold to see if I can spot the lifter. What is all involved in removing the intake manifold. Or any ideas on what you guys work do? My truck in a 1986 f250 with a 460 in it. Any input would be helpful thanks

 

To get the manifold off you'll need to disconnect battery, drain the coolant, remove heater hoses from front of motor, unhook the little hose that runs from manifold to water pump, unhook upper radiator hose, disconnect fuel line at carb, remove the carb and air cleaner after disconnecting the throttle cable/trans kickdown rod/cruise control (if equipped), remove valve covers, remove the vacuum hoses attached to the various tees and/or VCVs on the manifold, remove the distributor and coil, move the wiring harness out of the way, remove 16 or so bolts holding the manifold on, and then try to get it off. If you have the smog tube across the back of the engine that may give you a headache also. I've heard adding beer to the mix may help.

This may not be all inclusive depending on your truck and not necessarily in order.



You might be able to fish the lifter out of the valley with a magnet tool but it's a long shot. I seem to remember someone said it might be possible to take the distributor out and try to get the lifter out thru that hole, but try at your own risk/aggravation.

 

Trackerrr is pretty right on.
I've never had a problem with the Thermactor crossover pipe, but the oil pressure sender is kind of troublesome when R&Ring the intake.
At least your cam lobe looks okay!

I see any number of threads where people with the 460 have bent pushrods or lost a lifter.
Over 400K on my truck and I used to use 5800 as a redline.
Only valvetrain problem I've ever had is a broken spring.