Stuck Lifters

[MrPbody]

Completely or even a little bit. Toast. If the lobes are shiny all the way around, and no "wavy" pattern on them, yes, "wiped". A worn out cam is like a pregnant lady. Either it IS or it isn't. No in-between.

Jim

[Will Help]

If you put a straight edge across the bottom of the lifters you should see a slight concave surface ( slightly dished out in the middle ). This does no go for roller lifters. If the surface is flat on any of the lifters, then the cam comes into question as to whether the lobes are worn likewise. The concave surface creates a rotation of the lifter as the cam turns which equalizes wear of the surfaces and prevents premature wear. Roller lifters are already rolling on the surface reducing friction.

Also if you see any pitting of the lifter bottom or cam lobe they are definitely "TOAST"

[1969NovaSS]

alright well im pullin my engine out this weekend so that i can get those lifters out and inspect that cam close up. ill let u guys know how everything looks and get your input on wether its shot or not k thanx guys

[big dwag]

I would think that the lobes might be worn on the lifters that you are having problems with. I've even done the same thing heard lifters making noise over tighten them might run awhile start making noise tighten again, then you came to a point where you can't tighten them anymore. lifter's look good still have the new look, but lifters worn and cam lobes worn, not all but some of them, but anyway i don't think you can get the cam out anyway with the lifters in once you start to pull the cam out the lifters might fall in between the lobes then you will have a new problem. I have never had a problem getting any lifters out. if you have pics post maybe we can help you a little more by looking at the problem.

[1969NovaSS]

i know i can get the cam out if i pull the lifters up to where they jam then pull the cam out and then push the lifters back out the bottom and into the oil pan. But yea if anything doesnt look normal, ill take some pics and post them. Do you have any suggestions on what to look for in the way of low oil pressure? (since im gunna have it out and apart)

[Will Help]

Look for scratches/scoring of any metal parts. Look at all bearings as they should be the same color all over the surface with no scratches and not burnished anywhere.

[big dwag]

Yeah check bearings if they have turn copper looking they are no good. make sure oil pump screen is not plug with anything.

[1969NovaSS]

k the engine is all apart and i found my problem. All the main bearings were the wrong size so they were worn down to the copper and the bearing shavings jammed up my lifters. so im gettin it all cleaned and getting new bearings and all that. the cam has dark spots on some lobes and not on others but it doesnt look WORN DOWN.

[Will Help]

Those bits and pieces can get lodged in every oil galley in the engine. You should remove all galley plugs and rod them out good. Just blowing air through will not remove them. Don't take short cuts or your engine will be short lived. Oil goes straight from the mains to the cam. Check those bearings also. Make sure those dark spots on the cam are not where the hardened surface has been worn off and you are into virgin/soft metal. Doesn't take but a few minutes to wear the lobe off of a cam.

[1969NovaSS]

oh no lol im not just blowing it out with air im starting from scratch and putting it in the vat or however you spell it and yea im replacing ALL bearings and replacing ALL plugs so right now its a BARE block and its goin to be cleaned good o get all those metal shavings out. and the cam doesnt LOOK worn down to fresh metal just a dark are but i might replace it just i case but maybe not