Sticky lifter

The head bolt mod will not do anything to improve oil flow to the lifters (this isn't really the problem anyway, it's an oil drain back problem). That only improves oil flow to the rockers and as long as you are good about changing the oil, it isn't really even needed. If you want to do the head bolt mod, you can read about it here: http://www.mattsoldcars.com/RestoreAmerican/boltmod.shtml .

Matt

1967 American wagon
http://www.mattsoldcars.com

Ok I have checked oil pressure - Good

Changed filter and used 10-40 oil this trip. Have not heard the lifter do it's thing...but now I have an almost constant annoying tap...not as pronounced as the lifter not pumping up...that sound you could tell there was a lifter not doing it's job. This sounds more like typical valve train noise. So I took the valve cover off and inspected.

For 83k miles it looked like brand new, I did the bolt head trick just because I was in there and figured why not, it can't hurt. What I did find is the possible culprit....The rocker shaft has collars that divide and keep the rocker arms in the correct place and I could jiggle those collars / sleeves and basically duplicate that noise.

Should there be slop there? and if not, can the end play of the cam be shipped to get the whole assembly tighter?

I'm thinking of going the cam kit route eventually to take care of the occasional lifter sticking (Cam, Lifters & Timing chain) but I really think the noise that I am hearing currently is the rocker bridge.

Thoughts?

Edited by dkrtgood - Apr/30/2012 at 10:07am

Dave Goodwin
70 Mark Donohue BBO 390 4-speed
69 Javelin - 232 six (My Daily Driver)
2010 Dodge Challenger - V6 (Wifes daily driver)
AMO# 10163

BTW, you should not automatically assume it can only be a sticky lifter. A sticky valve that is just a tiny bit slow closing can also be the culprit. Mystery oil will most likely help that as well.

Dan Curtis, AZ AMC collector quality Restorations, Parts & Engines - amcmusclecars.com

dkrtgood wrote:

I found a new rocker assy on ebay, it's a Clevite part number.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/370603998531?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649#ht_1955wt_1139

Again if someone can tell me that the collars in between the rocker arms should not have play where they can make noise?

For 100.00 I can buy this setup and swap it out but if it's going to have some slop like mine it will be of no use.

If that is truly a new assembly for that price you should jump all over it...It might actually tighten up the lash just enough to kill the tick.

When My original engine ticked on cold start I put a pint of atf in it while working on it and moving it around the garage, drive, etc; By the time I put it on the road the cold tick was gone. Marvel mystery oil will probably do the trick if it is indeed a sticky lifter or valve. As others have noted your pressure is good, it quits soon after starting and I believe you said it does not miss. Leave it be for a while. I'd almost bet it will quit with regular use.

Wrambler

69 AMC Rambler

4.0L, 5 speed

65 Ambassador Ragtop rustbucket

97 Cherokee Sport

4.0L 5 speed

04 Grand Cherokee Laredo

4.7L Quadratrac II

Zip is 26505

They are just spacers and I dont think add to the noise. If you start it up at idle with the cover off you should be getting oil dripping down the sides of all the pedestals.