I have tried to install adjustable pushrods a couple of times recently, but always end up with lifter noise when I start my engine, a 455. My question is not how to do it, but I have 4 lifters that after they sit overnight are mushy, meaning they'll push down easy. I can't get the feel of zero lash to adjust them from. When I put the stock pushrods back in it starts right up and in a couple of seconds the clicking is gone. Are these lifters bad and should they be replaced? At cruise about 2000 RPMs the engine feels and sounds like it may have a dead miss to me but as soon as you punch it, the engine pulls hard and seems as smooth as glass. HELP! Dave Berry
Could be that the lifters are worn in the plunger area, letting oil escape. But if they're relatively new, sounds like all they need are a disassembly and thorough cleaning.
There has been a lot of problems with hydraulic lifters over the past few years. It seems that the top manufacter went out of business, and then the remnants of the company were sold to another company. Seems that the quality control went out the window.......Lots of lifters with no crown on the bottom and others that are slow to pump up or lose prime after sitting. I put an Engle cam and lifters in my car, and there are 3 or 4 that exhibit the "squishyness" that you describe. The engine runs good, and the lifters do pump up. Engle told me to run Royal Purple sythetic oil. They claim it will minimze or eliminate the problem. I am running 15w-40 diesel oil now....only have about 300 miles on the rebuild.
Thanks for the info but it sure makes it hard to set the pushrods when they are like that. By the way what's the reason for running the diesel oil?? Dave Berry
Diesel oil has high levels of anti wear additives and detergents. Also, diesel oil has excellent anti rust capability as well. I have beem using it since 1990 in my collector cars. Ran one car on diesel oil for 45,000 miles. Pulled the valve covers, and it was as clean as the day I picked up the parts at the machine shop. I use Shell Rotella T 15w-40 and WIX filters. Do a search here - lots of folks use diesel oil. BTW - Do you think your engine is harder on oil than a backhoe or bulldozer? Especially when diesels run up to 22 to 1 compression.... :shock:
I would not run the Av oil we use in our airplane engine in my car just because I use with success in my aiplane, They are each specific purpose blends.
I don't know if you folks visit this website: http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/ Lots of great information on lubricants of all types. That is why I do what I do in regard to oil and filters..... :laugh:
