1969 440 valve lifter

[lyndondb]

Anyone know? Is it possible to remove the hydraulic lifter from a 69 440 without pulling the intake. Use a lifter removal tool?

 

[lewtot184]

i've done it quite a few times with iron heads. there is a tool but a strong magnet on an extension will work.

 

[lyndondb]

Thanks, so the opening is large enough to get the lifter through.

 

[Daves69]

Yes it is possible and enough room through the head. If there is any buildup on the lifter under the lifter bore it may tend to stick on you. You may need to work it up and down several times to get it out.

 

[lyndondb]

Thanks. Only has about a thousand miles on it so I wouldn't think it has any build up.
I suspect the lifter because it depresses the spring to open the valve but when the valve closes the rocker arm is excessively loose on the push rod. Spring and valve stem appear ok. Am I missing something you think?

 

[Daves69]

Roll the pushrod check for a bent condition. Look close at the top of the pushrod and the rocker cup for excessive wear.
You should indicate the lobe if you rule out the rocker, pushrod, and lifter.

 

[lyndondb]

Thanks again checked everything but the lifter pulled the rod and looked at rocker arm.
No indication of anything on either. It is a newly rebuilt engine to include the cam and lifters -just hoping it is a lifter not the cam

 

[Daves69]

Outside chance a short pushrod. Worse case a wiped cam lobe. Any particulates showing up in the oil?

 

[lyndondb]

Engine has less than 1000 miles on it. Was running great and at idle all of a sudden the clicking noise started. The spring does depress when the lobe comes up. When the valve should be closed is when it is so loose.

 

[Daves69]

Are your valve stem tips all at the same height (or very close) across a straight edge? If that one is remarkably short maybe check compression on that cylinder.
What kind of oil pressure were you seeing?
Were the rocker shafts installed correctly?

 

[lyndondb]

The oil pressure is same as it has been since rebuild 75 psi at cruise. I checked the stems visually and appear ok. Good info though I will check with straight edge when I pull the lifter.

 

[SublimeSixpack]

Hopefully it's just a defective lifter, and like already mentioned the lifter can be removed with the right type of magnet. The bottom of the lifter may tell the story. Was the cam properly run in? Was Break-in oil used?

 

[lyndondb]

Hopefully it's just a defective lifter, and like already mentioned the lifter can be removed with the right type of magnet. The bottom of the lifter may tell the story. Was the cam properly run in? Was Break-in oil used?

 

[lyndondb]

As far as I know the special additive was added to the break in oil for the cam and proper break in done. How about the tools advertised to remove the lifter do they work ok?:

 

[SublimeSixpack]

Through the years I've only had to perform this procedure twice and both times I used a fairly strong parts pick up type magnet with an extendable arm. I didn't need a specialized tool for the job so I can't comment on that. But here is a photo of the magnet that I use if it helps.

 

[lyndondb]

Through the years I've only had to perform this procedure twice and both times I used a fairly strong parts pick up type magnet with an extendable arm. I didn't need a specialized tool for the job so I can't comment on that. But here is a photo of the magnet that I use if it helps.

View attachment 381688

Thanks for all the infor. I will post results

 

[4mulas]

Thanks for all the infor. I will post results

What were the results on this?

 

[Scooby67]

Apparently he's still trying to pull the lifter through the bore.

 

[lyndondb]

Sorry for the long delay.
I did get the failed lifter out - but the center lifters will not come out throught the intake.
Maybe they could be dragged to the opening that is big enough. I didn't have the nerve for that. After all they were new lifters.

 

[moper]

If it were me, I would invest in an intake bathtub and pull it. You should visually inspect the cam too.