I had this problem with my 350 sbc once and a friend of mine who was a auto mechanic found the rocker stud was pulling out. He penned it back in with a hammer and a center punch, been good since. In a message dated 5/24/2011 4:30:28 P.M. Eastern Daylight Time, 6...@johnnasta.com writes:
Thanks Chum, The method of adjusting a quarter turn past the point when the tapping stops is something I was taught a long time ago and not something I got from that web page. So, how are they supposed to be adjusted? Thanks for the tip about checking the lifter to make sure it's rotating. Amazingly enough, Auto Zone was able to look up a 1958 283. I told the woman on the phone to assume it was in an Impala or BelAir with a 4bbl. John Quoting Chum Nault <c...@jimolsonmotors.com>: > John > > The last year for the 283 was 1967, all small block flat lifters are > interchangeable, if you are just looking for a stock hydraulic lifter any > 283, 327 lifter will be the same. The 58 specs you looked up must be for a > solid lifter, not hydraulic, as the old 1/4 turn past 0 lash was always the > method for adjusting them. > > Be sure to take a good look at the cam surface on the lifters as you remove > them, be sure that there is not a wear mark from the camshaft on the lifter > indicating that the lifter is not rotating. This would tell you it is time > to replace the camshaft also. > > We are finding out that our oils today have eliminated a zink additive that > is needed to lubricate our older flat lifter camshafts and we are seeing > failures. Every cam manufacture recommends an additive or a high performance > oil with zink. > > Chum Nault > > > -----Original Message----- > From: chevelle-list-boun...@chevelles.net > [mailto:chevelle-list-boun...@chevelles.net] On Behalf Of John Nasta > Sent: Tuesday, May 24, 2011 2:26 PM > To: chevelle-list@chevelles.net > Subject: [Chevelle-list] SB lifter question > > Hi everybody, > > Unfortunately I have what seems to be a collapsed lifter in my 69 El > Camino. If I try to adjust it, I can turn it until it stops tapping, > and then when I try to go the additional quarter turn, it starts > tapping again. > > My question is, does the year of the block matter, or are all SBC > lifters basically the same? It is a 1958 283 engine block. Most auto > parts store computers only go back to 1968. What was the last year for > the 283? > > I need to buy my parts and I want to make sure there aren't any > problems/surprises. > > I looked up the 1958 283 engine specs here. It says: > > Valve Lift Zero Lash: Intake: .398 Exhaust: .398 > > http://www.secondchancegarage.com/public/628.cfm > > Also my parts list is: > > intake gasket set > sillycone > valve cover gasket set > oil & filter > lifter set (may as well change them all) > > Am I missing anything? > > Thanks, > John Nasta > > > Thanks > > > >
