Hey all, I've got a '53 Buick Special, 263 straight 8 with Dynaflow. I think my lifters are not compressing. Every time I adjust the valves (going for a half turn past zero lash), it holds the valves open and the lifters do not seem to compress, and the valves don't seem to close themselves. I took the head off, had it rebuilt, and bought two new lifters because they were pitted...those ones seem to adjust normally. I don't want to buy all new lifters because they are 23 dollars a piece plus shipping. Now the question--what can I run through this thing to clean or unstick these things? Is there something in the adjustment I've missed? I'm not a mechanical idiot by the way--just looking for any ideas because I'm at my wits end with this...I have to run the engine right now with the valves adjusted to the point where I just feel resistance when tightening...if I go any farther, it holds the valves open. I'm about ready to try adjusting them hot...but any ideas would be appreciated! Aaron
That is an overhead valve engine right?[Hydraulic lifters too?] I'd say to defietely set the lifters hot. Also make sure the old and new ones are loose enough to insure they are not [overtightened down into] the -PRELOAD- to start with. After its hot you can then set the lifter tighter till it barely stops ticking-then a 1/2 turn more on all. If there is still any slight ticking, go back and add 1/8 to 1/4 additional turn tighter
Yeah, that's what I was thinking...one at a time hot...it might be a time to make a mess of the garage! They are hydraulic...I've never been good at setting them cold!
Well, they're gummed up all right! I adjusted them hot and they acted like solids...so they're coming out for a cleaning, because I'm not paying 25 bucks a piece for new ones!
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