390 Stuck lifter
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390 Stuck lifter
Has anyone ever tried to free up a stuck lifter without pulling the head? This is my barn find that sat for 23+ years. The motor has very low miles and as far as I know, everything else about it seems fine. The truck is 100% OE. If I have to pull the heads, well you know the deal: might as well rebuild the heads...might as well change the rings...might as well rebuild the motor! Arrg. I can't afford that.
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
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OK great. So once I get the intake manifold off and I identify the stuck lifter, what would I do to try to loosen it? Of course after pulling the rocker spring and push rod. Should I just tap on it with something to see if I can free it up I don't want to damage the camshaft?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
OK great. So once I get the intake manifold off and I identify the stuck lifter, what would I do to try to loosen it? Of course after pulling the rocker spring and push rod. Should I just tap on it with something to see if I can free it up I don't want to damage the camshaft?
Yep.. sometimes it's just a matter of grabbing the lifter with slip joint pliers and rotating out of its journal... that is if it is stuck in the open (high) position. You'll know what to do once ye open her up... just employ the least destructive means in fixing it.
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[QUOTE=HIO Silver;15653631]So your lifter is "hung up"?
Yes. I am assuming it is because not only do I have a loud lifter tick, but I also am running on less power as if it were running on 6 or 7 cylinders. I also see white smoke at higher rpm. Does that sound like it is hung up to you?
Thanks Hio, you are very gracious.
Yes. I am assuming it is because not only do I have a loud lifter tick, but I also am running on less power as if it were running on 6 or 7 cylinders. I also see white smoke at higher rpm. Does that sound like it is hung up to you?
Thanks Hio, you are very gracious.
Fleet Owner
Joined: Dec 2009
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From: NorCal
Try to spin the pushrods when both intake and exhaust valves are closed for that cylinder. Each should be preloaded... a very loose/woobly one would indicate it is bent or that is the problem cylinder.
First things first.
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Mountain Pass
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Get a lifter puller at the auto parts store. It grabs the end of the lifter and has a slide hammer on the end. Just a few slams of the hammer and they come right out.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2001
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From: Cupertino
Byron, don't rush into pulling stuff apart yet.
Have you tried running some light solvent through the oil? Marvel Mystery Oil is good at your sort of problem and has worked for me for fifty years. Get a quart and follow directions. It is a thin penetrating oil with perfume.
Also, guys here about swear by Seafoam. They will chime in soon.
Worth a try.
Semper Fi
Have you tried running some light solvent through the oil? Marvel Mystery Oil is good at your sort of problem and has worked for me for fifty years. Get a quart and follow directions. It is a thin penetrating oil with perfume.
Also, guys here about swear by Seafoam. They will chime in soon.
Worth a try.
Semper Fi
Lead Driver
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,592
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From: **** hole San Jose ca.
A stuck hyd. lifter that causes a tapping noise generally means the internal plunger piston of the lifter is not functioning to pump up hold pressure.
Most any low flash point solvents/penetrating oils, AFT, diesel can be use in a qt. or
less. Let it idle until it frees up and bring up the rpm to about 1500 every few minutes until it frees up the lifter. With any luck it should loosen an stop making noise.
If still hung up then running a solvent for a little drive then pull the valve cover on the that head start the engine put your hand on the each lifter and push down to find the noisy one. Check for a bent push rod broken valve spring.
Orich
Most any low flash point solvents/penetrating oils, AFT, diesel can be use in a qt. or
less. Let it idle until it frees up and bring up the rpm to about 1500 every few minutes until it frees up the lifter. With any luck it should loosen an stop making noise.
If still hung up then running a solvent for a little drive then pull the valve cover on the that head start the engine put your hand on the each lifter and push down to find the noisy one. Check for a bent push rod broken valve spring.
Orich
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