So I bought a '66 327 and a powerglide off craigslist. I had kicked around a lot of powertrain options, and this seemed like a great one as it is complete from carb to pan, with alternator, brackets, distributor, coil, brackets, linkage, pulleys, trans lines, etc.. all stock. So it was owned by a little old man who pulled it out years ago, blah blah blah.... Looked clean and right from the outside, but it was craigslist and the story and cleanliness is always better depending on how broke the seller is. So I pulled the heads and pan to take a closer look. The cylinders and bottom end, and heads look fine, not even a carbon ridge on the walls. My oldest son, wanting to help me pull it apart, clean, paint and freshen-up with new gaskets rotated the motor on the stand and the lifters fell out without being able to mark which one went where. How important is it? Am I screwed and have to get new ones, or can I clean them and install them as is? The lifters seem in good shape, The motor has a rebuild tag from '83 and is 30 over, 10 under on bearings
The lifters wear to the lobes and become a perfect matched set. That's what break in on initial start up is for. You could take your chances and roll the dice and throw the lifters back in - i would not say thats a good idea. or get new lifters and re do the break-in procedure better option. Better solution yet is to pick a new cam , timing chain, lifters and be happy. Don't blame your son
Can't blame him, that's how we learn! So you think timing chain too huh? Well, I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet! At least it's not too pricey! Thanks for your help!
I have put new lifters on an old cam...just break them in as if the cam was new too....but now that its out..you might as well put a timing chain on it....so why not just replace the cam while youre at it....
Make it better by picking out the best cam available for your use/plans. That is one fine motor. There are plenty of threads here on cam choices...search it and good luck.
Even if you could figure out where they go, I'd be afraid that one or more got a nick or scratch that would lead to other problems.
this happends all the time check at least the front lifters for wear usually 4 front is somhow allmost allways wear more my figure is that oil is at rear of block. as posted this is a good way to get a cam that is fitted for the car it is going into.
Not sure about the GM part number but the 350HP 327 hydraulic cam is a really good choice. Nice idle and good power, cheap too.
you can just put them back as long as they aren't scratched or nicked---but why do it ? cam and lifters won't set you back much---good luck...
All the replies abve that tell you to replace the lifters and cam are exactly correct. When I was a kid...MANY YEARS AGO....I did the exact same thing. Just popped thaem all back in. Engine ran great. Uh, not for long. About 200 miles after a nice rebuild it ran like donkey poop. When the cam was slid out, it looked like a broomstick. And the engine was loaded with metal filings. Needed new main and rod bearings. Plus gaskets, time, oil, filters, etc., etc.,.
Thanks for all the good advice. I usualy wait til after I break something to ask. I try to balance the almighty dollar since I'm on disibility, with dependability since it's for my son. I ordered a cam and rocker set with a 288/298 lift, 444/446 duration. Slightly lopey idle, good low and mid torque/hp, and don't need a stall converter. Also ordered a spring kit, pushrods, dbl. Roller timing chain kit, and break in lube. It's all Summit brand, sale and clearance but it should be fine.
Also as a footnote, if the 'ol lady *****s about spending money on stupid car parts I don't need, I can show her this thread and blame it on the HAMB! Less this last part that I'll delete first of course. ...
Sounds like you have the fix in place. New cam, new lifters, new timing chain, new springs and even pushrods. Just make sre to use good break-in lube on the lifters and lobes, and ends of the pushrods. Use a good break-in oil for the engine and you should be great shape.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-1103/overview/make/chevrolet Too much cam timing for a bone-stock 327. The bottom end will be mushy and the stock converter will try to push the car through stoplights. You'll be tired of it in a couple of weeks. You're certainly not the first person on the planet to overcam a motor. Been there, done that. Here's what I would have recommended for the motor. The bottom end would have been crisp, quick getaway from a standing stop, good fuel mileage, just good all around driveability without having to stand on the brakes at every light. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-1101 Live and learn. Please read through this tutorial so that you don't suffer further failure and smoke the cam and lifters. The lack of extreme pressure lubricants in off-t******lf motor oils has made hard going for some of us old timers and we have to be careful...... http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/wiki/Camshaft_install_tips_and_tricks
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