I noticed that all of my lifters bleed down very quickly... like within 10 seconds of shutting off the car - all of the rocker arms are level

The block is a 1990 chevy van 350 .... originally came w/ flat cam but drilled for roller hardware, i added lt-4 HOT cam and 1.6 roller rockers

any ideas?

 

Rhoads lifters?

"They give you less duration and lift at idle for up to 25 percent more low-end torque and economy, and restore full action for top-end horsepower."

Leakdown, thats how they do it.

 

No, these are OE roller lifters, I get a sputter out of the tailpipes and it doesn't seem to want to take an adjustment, the lifters still make noise no matter what

 

Need more info on the build.
The 1990 engine should have had a roller cam already in it.
Is this a "hand-me-down" project engine that someone else was working on?
Are these new lifters or ones from another engine?
What engine oil are you using and can you put a gauge on the oil pressure for a reading at "hot idle"?

 

No, I pulled the motor myself, and had the short block built. Lifters are take out lifters from some other engine, but the odds are really against ALL of the lifters being bad.... i'm using 5w30 and when it's hot it'll idle around 45 or 50

 

Its one of the first rules of building a motor

unless they are roller through the lifter in the garbage.

48 dollars from summit

Asking this board about how can I make something work that I know is wrong is like screwing you best friends girl

 

what? they are OE roller lifters

 

there roller lifters are like 120

 

what are you talking about? the car has roller lifters in it right now, not flat ones

 

Highly unlikely there's anything wrong with the lifters. What you describe is fairly normal.

More likely something inadequate about the valve springs or retainer-to-guide clearance.

Could also be a symptom of 2 systems of rocker guiding in effect at the same time; such as, self-aligning rockers, AND either the narrow push rod holes in the heads or guide plates.

But they're cheap, throw in another set and see what happens. I'm betting though that you'd find it was a waste of money.

I'd avoid the Rhoads lifters, or similar product from other mfrs.