valvetrain experts please help!!!!!!

[yesIdid]

Our trucks from the factory are equipped with a flat-tappet cam, right? They also have hydr. lifters and stamped steel rockers, correct?

I can convert the stamped rockers to rollers w/o any problems, right? However, if I convert to roller lifters I'll have to install a roller cam; which will present a dilemma w/the stock speed-density system, right? Now I'm confused ! Can't I install a roller cam w/the same profile as the stock cam? No problems right?

With the relative increase in hp achieved with roller mods upgrading to mass-air is inevitable, right?


I'm asking these questions because I've got a lifter that gets pumped-up at sustained high rpm. I wanna fix the problem but if I can improve the valvetrain (roller lifters, rockers, cam) w/o the cost of mass-airing the truck that's what I'll do. Otherwise, I'll just replace the lifters .

BTW, the actual problem is lifter knock. There must be a loss of zero-lash somewhere. I may not need to replace the lifters. The intake and the valve covers are coming off tomorrow. Maybe I'll discover some simple problem.

Thanks fellas.

 

[Abby Normal]

Where Y'at YesI, Check the thread on roller conversion from yesterday(Jan 25). I'd check the casting # first to make sure you got a roller block.

 

[LW93Rcode]

You can convert to a roller cam without mass-air. Comp Cams has a few roller cams that are SD friendly or you can have one custom made. And you can go pretty damn fast without mass-air.

 

[yesIdid]

Let me add another symptom to my problem; this jus hit me. Mobil 1 10w30 should not be burnt/pitch black after 1100, mostly freeway, miles. I just checked it and it's burnt. Does my problem sound more like detonation now.

I've got good oil pressure...

When u start the truck there's a knocking for about 3 seconds; then it goes away. After runnin the truckfor about 5 minutes the knocking comes back it starts off lightly then goes to a LOUD knocking.

I'm about to trade this Phu**ng thing for a gen. 2.

 

[sstock]

If there is a knock don't drive it! Find out what you have wrong. How many miles on your engine? Flat cam can cause a lot of racket on the top end. Is it a knock or a tap or loud rap. Usually bad lifters tick,tap and rap, other more expensive things knock.
Pull the upper and valve covers and coil wire have some one bump the starter while you look at the valve train. Look for broken spring or tappet not lifting.Drain your oil and see if you have any metal in there
Hope this helps,
Steve

 

[yesIdid]

I gotta 2nd opinion. He asked me what fool told me it was detonation . (woops)

Official diagnosis: collapsed lifter.
Cost: nothing compared to bent rotating things.

I still don't know if I wanna do it myself or pay this guy to do it for $500.00 .

Is 500 bucks a fair price?

 

[sstock]

Hell no! He is ripping you off. To get to the lifter, you need to remove the upper and lower intakes and the one valve cover. Replace lifter and adjust then reassemble.
Later
STeve

 

[871BOLT]

Hello Mike
It's nice to see you back on board.Lets take a look at your truck before youn tear it apart. Tonite maybe or tomarrow I dont need to be at work till 3 later Alex

 

[yesIdid]

Hell no! He is ripping you off. To get to the lifter, you need to remove the upper and lower intakes and the one valve cover. Replace lifter and adjust then reassemble.
Later
STeve

Thanks, but I might as well replace em all if I'm gonna go thru all that trouble. With my luck another one will collapse 3 months from now .


How ya doin Alex? You've got mail .

 

[Lightning Struck]

500!!! You can convert to a roller for that much or less...I've got all the stuff to convert except the pushrods and the cam for 60 bucks, granted that's used...But roller lifters generally don't go bad...

 

[Bad as L]

I don't know what kind of oil you run, but I have seen this kind of problem cured with an oil change to mobil 1. I have recomended this to several guys at work with awsome results.

One guy was getting ready to shell out almost 3000.00 bucks for a new top end in his mitsubishi VR4 thingy ma jobby. I asked him to try the synth oil first and it fixed the noise. Same with a TR-8 another guy has. Both were high mileage cars. I think mobil 1 is like soap for your lifters.
Dale

 

[yesIdid]

I'm runnin Mobil 1 10w30 as we speak ; no dice.

I've also tried runnin Marvel Mystery Oil with the same result.