flat lifter need advice**Update with pics**

[COCHEV]

so the 454 in the ol burb started poppin out the carb and running like crap. did a compression test and had 120-130 (dry test) across the board. so i started pulling plug wires and when i pulled the no. 7 plug it ran better and stopped popping. so...i pulled the valve cover and found that i could push the push rod down on the exhaust rocker. the nut hasn't backed off so it looks to me like a flat lifter...

sooooo.... can i simply replace the lifter or is it possible it could have done some damage to the cam? i had to drive about 5 miles home after it started running bad. might take the oportunity to swap the cam...

suggestions

 

[4X4HIGH]

If the lifter is cupped on the face then the cam is also no good. A quick check would be to turn the engine over while the valve cover is off and look to see if that valve opens as far as the others, if not a bad cam and lifter for sure.

 

[kgblazerfive]

Swap the cam and the lifters the amount of work left to do beyond the lifters to do the cam is nominal. It the lifter did go why ? at least a 50% chance it took a lobe with it. I would do them both.

 

[sweetk30]

also if anything to far from stock its new valve springs also if i recall correctly.

 

[COCHEV]

well, here's what i found. the cam doesn't look so hot under that lifter either...

 

[80' 427]

The REAL way to fix that now is to tear it apart since all the cam and lifter metal is now in the pan, on the piston skirts, in the bearings, etc. Gm has a Hard faced lifter that is way better. I just swapped cam and lifters in a engine that did this and it is still running strong but its not the right way. I bet with the valve cover off you can dip the metal glitter out of the drain back on the head.

 

[kgblazerfive]

Depending on what your plans are for the motor I would tend to agree with the rebuild part at least rebearing it.

 

[COCHEV]

i was wondering about that, cause a good bit of the lifter is chewed off.

i have a 454 short block in waiting. still need heads for it. however, i'm still determining the final fate of this rig. might just throw it back togther. might get another K5...decisions decisions...

thanks for the replies