New Buick guy here. a few weeks ago, I noticed a loss in power, so in trouble shooting and pulling the valve covers I found I broke a rocker shaft. When the intake was pulled off to find a missing lifter, the windage tray was damaged, so the intake was put back on without, and the rockers were replaced with TA Heavy Duty replacements. Now upon startup, and heavy acceleration, it smokes pretty good. The motor I believe is very frest, maybe 5,000 miles or so, so I am leaning against rings. Any ideas/leads appreciated! Thanks in advance! ps..Feel free to talk me into a set of Aluminum heads!
You're sucking a bunch thru the PCV for one thing if you opted to not install the tub or a shield and its just pumping oil back thru intake
If you're not using the original valley pan gasket these two products are available. I use the American Machine one (top left item on first link). TA has instructions how to use the used or new stock valley pan modified to help with this problem. http://automachperf.com/Buickperformanceparts.html http://www.taperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=TA_1738-455
Read the intake manifold install instructions (top link), it will tell you how to modify the stock gasket http://www.taperformance.com/reference.html
If you were missing a lifter because it popped out, your oil pressure would have plummeted. Hopefully, you didn't drive it around a lot like that. You probably don't have a gauge as well.
The pan wasn't reinstalled because it was damaged during removal. I have a oil pressure gauge, and didn't notice a drop in pressure, so hopefully the lifter popped out right before I took it apart. Thanks everyone! I appreciate the info very much!
Valley pans are only a day away from any parts house,...unless you just siliconed everything you would have had to order gaskets anyway,...
so I understand, I need gaskets with the valley pan, correct? Or can I use silicone and reuse the rubbers on the end?
I had to research your posts to discover you have a 1970 Skylark with a 455. These are the stock intake gaskets, https://www.rockauto.com/en/catalog...v8,1379763,engine,intake+manifold+gasket,5424 Does the engine still have the stock iron intake or an aluminum intake. When you removed the intake, did it have the stock metal valley pan gasket? The less silicone you use, the better. It will get into the oil pan and clog the pick up. You should not use it around the intake passages, you need a gasket.
The stock Felpro replacement is a gasket / pan all in one. I'll put a very thin layer of sealer around the water ports and on the corners of the rubber gasket and torque it down.
OK, more research, Poston intake manifold. If there was a stock metal valley pan gasket, just get another one. I put some RTV on my finger and outline the 4 water passages in the heads. Use hi tack spray or brush around the intake ports. Then install the gasket. If you push down on the center of the metal valley pan, the pan will deflect and there are little catches that will hook onto the heads so it stays in place. Then repeat with RTV around the water passages, and hi tack around the intake ports on top of the gasket. Put a dab of RTV in the corners where the front and rear rubber rail seals tuck under the heads. Then lay the intake on and torque the bolts in sequence to 45 ft. lbs.
