one lifter bleeds down. Any thoughts

Just finished rebuilding my 360 for the Cuda and got it in and broke it in with just the outer springs and 15W40 Rotella with the GM EOS additive like Comp cams says. Then changed the oil and ran it long enough to get the timing set right on 34 total and adjusted the carb. Took a little spin over to the next wtown and filled it up with premium and came back home. Started it later for a buddy to show him how it sounded. Never made a lifter tick at all any time. The next morn. after it cooled off I pulled the valve covers and installed the inner springs and reset the rocker arms (got Comp cams stainless adj. roller rockers). Fired it up and had a lifter hammer for about 2 seconds. Didn't think nothing much about it. Now allmost everytime I start it that lifter hammers bad unless I rev up the engine to like 3500 or higher. Then it will go away. Oil pressure is real good at 30psi at idle hot and 60psi down the hwy. BTW this is a new cam and lifters, the Comp XE 274. I put about 90 miles on it and changed the oil again. Found no metal in the oil (thank God). Still does it. I pulled the valve cover and Its the exh lifter on #7 and I can easily push it down with one finger. Like it just don't hold any pressure. Anybody got any idea to fix this pig other than pulling it all apart?

Sorry for the novel.

Change the lifter, as it may be bad. or take it apart and make sure that the check ball isn't stuck in the lifter. Comp should warranty it as they can get bad parts like anyone else.

Likely will need to pull that lifter and wither take it apart and see if there is an junk in it or replace it.

What brand lifters are you using? I am using Melling lifters and I am not impressed, they all tick on start up and there will be one (not always the same one) that will contiue to tick for up to a minute before quieting down. I plan to replace them all soon.

FWIW, Shortly after I had purchased them i read that the company here in the US that made lifters for almost everyone had a strike and for almost a year lifters were sourced off shore and there have been problems. The outfit in the US is back in production from what the ariticle stated.

Thanks Bobby and Dave. I figured as much (take it back apart) but was hoping someone would know some miracle solution. I'll pull it down and see what it looks like. Hopefully just some piece of crud in it. If not the problem with the warranty is I bought it nearly a year ago and their warranty is only 3 mths. I guess that'll teach me to buy parts way early.

Dave their Comp Cams lifters. A buddy of mine has a 454 Chevy with a 268XE cam and also has the same problem you described your has but his are Comp lifters.

Hey fishy , you could get a solid cam/lifters and then they would all make noise all the time. Lol! I had that same problem with a MP hyd. cam/lifter set and the fix was a replacement lifter.

I had the same problem with the Buick 350 in my truck. I bought a Comp cam/lifter kit and have never been happy with the lifters. I had a couple which would bleed down in 1-2 seconds after the engine stopped, and they were noisy on startup. Replaced with TRW lifters, and much better. Not impressed with whatever brand of lifters Comp sends with their cams.

Longgone said:

Hey fishy , you could get a solid cam/lifters and then they would all make noise all the time. Lol! I had that same problem with a MP hyd. cam/lifter set and the fix was a replacement lifter.

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Actually John if I have to replace the cam and lifters I was thinking about going with a solid. At least they'd all sound the same. Hopefully nowhere near as loud as this one too.

Thanks to all the replies. Sure seems like alot of us are having alot more cam/lifter trouble than we used to have. When I was a kid I never once had a problem with a cam or lifter. Heck I even stuck used lifters on a used cam in a 383 and ran it for along time and didn't have any problem.

I have fished them out through the open areas where the manifold bolt goes through the head if the casting flashing is not to bad in the way,saves time and alot of work. Used a coat hanger L shaped on the end and maybe flatten to snag in the snap ring groove. Done it more than once replacing noise lifters!

It's always been a surprise to me when I don't have at least 1 lifter out of a new set that won't stay pumped up. Hey Fish, Fish it out with a magnet and replace it with a new one.

Terry

Guys I'd sure love to fish it out the easy way, but... I put in a valley pan. So much for the easy way.

Did I read this right? You drove the car without the inner springs installed?

Yes I did for a short distance. About 4 miles total. It was at low rpm also. Never opened it up or exceeded 40-45 mph. When I was blueprinting the engine I measured the outer spring pressure seperately from the inners and it measured 80 lbs. seat pressure and 230 open at .500 lift. Since the high perf. Mopar single springs I took off measured 85 seat and 260 open I didn't think I would do any damage if I didn't get on it.

Why do you ask?