Is it a Sticking lifter?
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Is it a Sticking lifter?
I'm hearing a fairly loud clacking noise coming from the front passenger side of my engine (SBC). This engine has sat for about 10 years but when it last ran there was no noise like that coming from it. My guess is it's a stuck lifter. The cylinders where the noise is coming from are firing so I know the valve is being opened and closed. I checked the snake oil section in my my local auto parts store and the only thing I saw for stuck lifters was Marvel Mystery Oil. I have heard stories over the years about how good this stuff is but never used it. What do you guys think? I really hate to pull the intake to replace a lifter if I can avoid it. The engine only had 2500 miles on it when it was stored after a rebuild. It had all new lifters and cam installed and the rockers were properly adjusted when it was rebuilt. I've only run the engine about 30 minutes aggregate since restarting it. Do you think the noise will go away eventually or will I do damage by running it longer? What are your ideas? 
Vern
Vern
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 7,493
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From: Erie, pa
Vern
MMO is the way to go.
Add some to the crankcase, run the engine up to temp, shut down and let it soak for a few hours. This may take a few cycles.
If that doesn't work, pull the sbc and replace with a Ford
MMO is the way to go.
Add some to the crankcase, run the engine up to temp, shut down and let it soak for a few hours. This may take a few cycles.
If that doesn't work, pull the sbc and replace with a Ford
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
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From: Rio Rancho, NM
Vern,
It sounds like you are correct, its probably stuck. I'll bet it will free itself up. marvel Mystery Oil couldn't hurt, or even some automatic tranny fluid. Run the engine for awhile without really hammering on it or anything, let it get good and warm and I'll bet it will start to quiet down.
I once fired up an old straight 8 flathead in an old Pontiac that had been sitting for years. The engine clattered like it was going to come apart. I got it to where it would idle on its own and while messing around with it it slowly got quieter and quieter until it was purring like a contented kitten and running just as smooth as it did when it left the factory floor.
Did you get it running smooth??
Bobby
It sounds like you are correct, its probably stuck. I'll bet it will free itself up. marvel Mystery Oil couldn't hurt, or even some automatic tranny fluid. Run the engine for awhile without really hammering on it or anything, let it get good and warm and I'll bet it will start to quiet down.
I once fired up an old straight 8 flathead in an old Pontiac that had been sitting for years. The engine clattered like it was going to come apart. I got it to where it would idle on its own and while messing around with it it slowly got quieter and quieter until it was purring like a contented kitten and running just as smooth as it did when it left the factory floor.
Did you get it running smooth??
Bobby
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
You guys are just full of great ideas...even the ones regarding replacing the SBC with a Ford. 
I am using this engine only because I already had it and I'm trying to build the truck on a budget. If I were starting from scratch and had the scratch...I'd have a Ford engine in it.
Bobby, I still don't have it running like I'd like but it is getting better. I really like the Dodge truck radiator I got for it. I let it idle for about 15 minutes and it never got above 180 degrees and that's with a mechanical clutch fan and no shroud. Thanks for the tip on that. Since I don't have the money for another engine if the lifter doesn't free up I guess I'll have to tear it down to replace the lifter(s). I'll try the MMO first and see what happens...
Vern
I am using this engine only because I already had it and I'm trying to build the truck on a budget. If I were starting from scratch and had the scratch...I'd have a Ford engine in it.
Bobby, I still don't have it running like I'd like but it is getting better. I really like the Dodge truck radiator I got for it. I let it idle for about 15 minutes and it never got above 180 degrees and that's with a mechanical clutch fan and no shroud. Thanks for the tip on that. Since I don't have the money for another engine if the lifter doesn't free up I guess I'll have to tear it down to replace the lifter(s). I'll try the MMO first and see what happens...
Vern
Roast em' if you got 'em
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 21,996
Likes: 9,884
From: Rio Rancho, NM
Vern,
I've been driving my truck (finally) and I average about 200 degrees which is pretty good since the caddies typically ran about 220 normally. Its been upper 80's low 90's around here and I've even tried it out in rush hour traffic. So far so good! I am running the stock factory flex fan without a fan clutch and no shroud. I haven't gotten around to installing the lower air deflector between the radiator and the lower valance yet or to making an upper deflector from the hood latch to the radiator. (I've been lazy and I need to align the front clip a bit better before fabricating the deflectors).
I'm pretty happy with the way mine's cooling.
Yea, worst case scenario is you might have to replace the lifter. I'm still betting it will free up. That will also effect how smooth its running. That cylinder will be a bit weak as one off the valves isn't opening all the way.
Here's to working on a budget!!
Bobby
I've been driving my truck (finally) and I average about 200 degrees which is pretty good since the caddies typically ran about 220 normally. Its been upper 80's low 90's around here and I've even tried it out in rush hour traffic. So far so good! I am running the stock factory flex fan without a fan clutch and no shroud. I haven't gotten around to installing the lower air deflector between the radiator and the lower valance yet or to making an upper deflector from the hood latch to the radiator. (I've been lazy and I need to align the front clip a bit better before fabricating the deflectors).
I'm pretty happy with the way mine's cooling.
Yea, worst case scenario is you might have to replace the lifter. I'm still betting it will free up. That will also effect how smooth its running. That cylinder will be a bit weak as one off the valves isn't opening all the way.
Here's to working on a budget!!
Bobby
Fleet Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
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From: NM
Saturn 1.9L's have known problems with oil control rings sticking, and the guys that own them swear by SeaFoam, which is somewhat like MMO but seems to work better at varnished-up stuff. It is usually right next to the MMO at AutoZone or PepBoys, give it a try in the oil, run at moderate speeds for a while, you only use an oz. per quart or so (follow the directions). It cut my Saturn's oil usage due to stuck rings from 1 qt/500 miles to 1 qt/1300 miles after running it for 100 miles with Sea Foam in the oil. Also works if you can inject it thru the carb (mist it in).
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 3,005
Likes: 2
From: Santa Clarita
Great North Woods- I'm not going to insult you about the SBC but can hopefully help. The MMO or Transmission fluid will penetrate a lifter. If you can locate the lifter that is clacking, I would also suggest removing the tappet, and pulling the push rod out. Roll it on a flat surface to make sure it's perfectly straight. Sometimes, the push rod will get bent for whatever reason and will also cause a lifter type noise to occur. I've seen people slightly tap the tappet with the engine running to free up a lifter also. Just a suggestion, but this happened to me. I had this clicking noise for quite a while. After replacing all my lifters and a few rocker arms that I thought had wear on them, I discovered that it was my mechanical fuel pump. The arm which goes onto the timing chain became loose and had excessive play from being old and worn, and would create a sound very similar sound to a valve clack. Good luck!
Last edited by imlowr2; May 18, 2006 at 10:44 PM.
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2003
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From: Augusta, ME
I'll second Albuq's Seafoam suggestion. It's hard to find here, I haven't seen it at Autozone but O'Reilly's does have it. May just have to look around a little but it's pretty good stuff. It's a round metal can, maybe a pint size or so.
Scott
Scott
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not a 57 lincoln
pick_up289sorry to jump in here,you asked about a car that was next to my truck in the gallery it isnt a lincoln,its a 1957 ford consul(british)it has been chopped,couped,lowered nosed,decked,frenched,54 mercury rear lights,fenderskirts and custom grill,it runs a 2 litre pinto with auto box.i hope this satisfies your curiosity,once again sorry for butting in but i couldnt post a reply via the gallery.
gary
gary
Last edited by dixiefried; May 19, 2006 at 03:51 PM. Reason: forgot
Elder User
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From: S.C.
You might try dropping the oil pan and cleaning it out too. After sitting for so long it might have sludge built up in the bottom where the pickup tube\screen is and cant get a good flow going uphill...also a good idea if the oil was not change after the initial rebuild. The pan gasket is probably dried up and will start to leak soon after driving anyway so it could be changed out before the garage floor gets another coat of black gold.
good luck with it.
Ed
good luck with it.
Ed
Thread Starter
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Littleton, New Hampshire
The oil was changed 500 miles after the rebuild and the engine never had anything but Mobil1 in it afterward so I'm sure there's no sludge in it. Also, the oil was drained during the time it sat up. I filled it with a quality 10-30W oil for restarting and was planning to drain it and refill with Mobil1 after I get it on the road. I have had the MMO in it now for a few days and no change yet on the lifter noise...if that's what it is.
Vern
Vern
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 910
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From: Maryland
I think you have what is called a collapsed lifter. If the engine sat for a long time the valve spring pressure squeezed the oil out of the lifter. It just needs time for it to fill back up. You can just let it idle until the noise goes away. It may take an hour.
I think that is what happened.
I think that is what happened.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Seattle WA.
My 1980 Corvette started having similar problems awhile back, it eventually started stumbling and backfiring through the carb also. Turned out to be a flat lobe on the front of the cam. I was told some of the cams in the 350's that were made in Mexico and had that problem.
Rod 51F1
Rod 51F1
Last edited by 51ford fan; May 20, 2006 at 08:56 AM.