302 collapsed lifter!

[Junglejoe]

I reused my100k mile roller lifters in a 400 hp 302 build.. stock lifters sometimes are better than the "after market ".junk

 

[Daniel Black]

I would've reused the stock lifters but the motor had set for years and the rollers were pitted and rusty. I don't know how hydraulic lifters work but the cup had so much pressure the small clip was barely holding on. When I took the clip out it launched the cup and a flat washer thing completely out of the body and what looks like another cup almost came out. Seems like with so much pressure it should've been holding the valve open instead of putting slack in the pushrod. It's confusing. Either way, the new FRPP lifters went right in and everything seems normal after torqing all the rockers through their sequence. Normal amount of movement on closed valves and all are oiling spinning the oil pump and turning the crank. Tomorrow I should be able to fill the radiator and set timing and see what happens.

 

[Daniel Black]

I had to get a guy I know who understands pedestal mount rockers to come look at it. Same issues after changing the lifters. Diagnosis: pushrods too short. Apparently without enough preload the lifter cup can hammer on the retainer clip. Also some of the rocker arms are toast with massive wear. With the price of 6.30 pushrods and stock rockers I'm just going to use the Crane stud conversion and some roller rockers. I've used it before about 15 years ago with great success.

 

[Junglejoe]

Did you get the correct pushrods?

 

[Daniel Black]

Did you get the correct pushrods?

Not yet. With the time change it's dark by the time I get home so I haven't even installed the stud kit yet. After the studs and new rockers I'll be able to check pushrod length again and see where I'm at.