Hey guys, if you read in my other thread, I have a knock coming from the lifter galley. I recently tore the intake manifold off and checked my roller lifters. Upon taking the valve cover off, I found metal shavings. It was nothing the oil filter couldn't handle, but I'm sure they're throughout the engine.

The engine has a light miss at idle and during acceleration and has lost power (most noticeable after it shifts into 3rd or 4th gear), but has decent power at full throttle. I believe that whichever lifter is bad, tore at my camshaft and rounded off one (or more) of the lobes.

I have every intention of rebuilding the motor over the winter while the car is put away, however, I would like to have a fun car for the remaining summer and half of fall. I'm obviously going to replace the camshaft and all 16 lifters, but would you recommend a full rebuild now? Or could I wait until winter time to do the full rebuild, and just replace the valve train at this point. The engine only has ~80,000 miles on it, it is mostly stock and will remain N/A until after the full rebuild. It's getting painful to drive it. I'm tight on cash so a rebuild now would just be with economy grade parts, not even ARP studs, however if I wait till winter, I can do a much better rebuild more suitable to my plans.

What are your opinions, could I just replace the lower valve-train and run it till storage? Or is my only option a thorough rebuild. Thanks in advance!

 

I did the top half of my 87 vette thinking I could wait for the bottom half. I was wrong ! After about 300 miles I threw a rod. Why put time and money into it and then do it again ? I recommend going all the way.

 

Haha thats what I was hoping not to hear. Well anymore agree with irocinswfla? I suppose I could always grab another 350 block over the winter and build that up, while I just throw the economy parts in this one.