I rebuilt the top end of my 305. When doing this I found one lifter that would not come out. Anybody have a sugestion on how to pull it from top of engine? Also if pulling it damages it, can I use a roller lifter from another car?If so what other engines can I get one from? I checked the rest of the lifters ,and found they were in great condition. Would figure just one has to be a pain in the butt.

 

03,

You really should get that lifter out. Try cleaning off the excess varnish on the underside with a solvent spray cleaner. You'll get some of it in the oil, but you should plan on changing the oil after opening the engine anyway.

The varnish that is holding the lifter in place may also prevent the lifter from operating in its full range, or worse, may be clogging the oil holes in the outer lifter body, preventing the lifter from adjusting correctly and supplying oil to that rocker and valve.

It may be more work now, but the peace of mind will certainly make it worthwhile later.

If you determine that the lifter is worn or damaged, you should be able to replace it with almost any SBC roller lifter. They didn't change much from 1987 through 1997. If you have a used-but-nice SBC roller lifter from a different engine, it should be O.K. to use as long as it doesn't show wear on the roller, axle, and sides of the body. Then again, for the price of one new lifter, you may not want to use an old one. They don't really wear much at all if they are properly lubricated, so it's your call. Whatever you do, soak the lifters in clean oil and test their pressure holding ability before you reinstall them.

 

Vader,
Is there a way to pull it from the top? I only want to pull the intake off if possible. How do you check their pressure holding ability? The car sat for about 2years. I didnt soak the lifters in oil. Do you think they could be ruined from sitting with no new oil in them? If so .How much you think new roller lifters cost? I hope I can soak them this time ,and get them to still pass the pressure holding ability test. Please describe this test
o3

 

If you installed the lifters dry and then let the engine sit for 2 years they could be rusted/corroded both inside and out. But I wouldn't jump to any conclusions about that.

You can buy a lifter-puller from any auto parts story that screws into he top fo the lifter which will usually do the trick. Using it will ruin the lifter, but it sounds like a new oneis in order here anyway.

 

The lifters that were installed were the original ones. I checked them all except the one that would not come out. All were in good shape that I could pull. I ran the car after I put it back together ,and it idled good. When driven it skips. Could this be from my stuck lifter? Or possible a bad intake gasket seal. I do see white smoke. Could it be the cylinder heads are not sealed properly. I have checked the timing ,and its set at o degrees at TDC just like the engine specification label states.

 

Do a compression test first. See if you've got a valve hanging open or something like that. The lifter could be bleeding down, too which will be more difficult to tell from a slow-cranking compression test but you might get lucky. Do everything you can to verify good mechanical condition of the engine FIRST. Then move on to the ignition and fuel systems. I'd be concerned about a stuck lifter causing further valvetrain carnage on general principle although it may not be the cause of this particular problem.

White smoke is usually steam from coolant making it into the combustion area somehow (head gasket, cracked head, etc). If it's got a bluish tint to it then it's oil smoke.