383 spun main?

[Nate S]

It would seem that without buying anything you could do a compression test on each cylinder and confirm no mayhem there. You'll need to put the lifters back in and swap a couple pushrods but it'll provide an important confirmation that the valve clearance situation is ok.

 

[RebelRider]

True. I will let everyone know how it turns out.

 

[Fran Blacker]

If your compression is OK, I'd still think about changing that cam. That keeper in post #67 looks funny, maybe just the picture?

 

[RebelRider]

If your compression is OK, I'd still think about changing that cam. That keeper in post #67 looks funny, maybe just the picture?

The keeper seems to be ok. If I do change the cam, I will need to do some research, as I know very little about cam specs.

 

[RebelRider]

Update.
I ran a compression test on the problem cylinders 2-6-8. I did a dry test starting with 2. Passed with colors. Got to cylinder 6.....nothing. Cylinder 8......nothing. I tried running a scope in those 2 cylinders, but couldn’t make anything out. About ready to pull the head, I went back to cylinder 2.......nothing.
At this point I knew something was going on with the gauge/tester. I worked the relief valve a few times and tried it on cylinder 5. 150+. Retested 2-6-8 and they all passed at 150+. I guess the relief valve on the tester was hung up from sitting.
The next step will be a leak down on all cylinders.

 

[wyrmrider]

A varnished or otherwise stuck valve bends pushrods like that as some have said ( has happened to me and my customers more than once)
you can check the lifters by rocking on a flat plate or one face against a side or both faces together (keep them in order) they should all have the same "rock" and cam wear mark should not go to the edge on any lobe
you could now have a bent valve but that should show up with compression test
keep digging

 

[RebelRider]

I can see why the bent rods were kicked out, but the one straight has me scratching my head.
I’ve already come to realization that I will be at the very least put a set of lifters, pushrods and a camshaft in it.

 

[hammond472]

I can see why the bent rods were kicked out, but the one straight has me scratching my head.
I’ve already come to realization that I will be at the very least put a set of lifters, pushrods and a camshaft in it.

It might be a good time for a new intake manifold to go with that new cam. Treat yourself! You deserve it for the hell you have been going through!

 

[RebelRider]

It might be a good time for a new intake manifold to go with that new cam. Treat yourself! You deserve it for the hell you have been going through!

Lol. It will get the minimum for now. I’m not even supposed to be doing engine work on it right now. I got it running to move it over to my lift so I can start putting rear quarters, a roof skin and trunk pans in it.

 

[wyrmrider]

did you find the cause and did I miss it

 

[RebelRider]

did you find the cause and did I miss it

Not yet, unfortunately.

 

[Nate S]

I tell you, those welded ball sealed power pushrods will pop out with a cam greater than grandma’s. Did that 30 years ago. Put in stock Pushrods with no other change and was fine.

 

[RebelRider]

If you notice, only 1 is the ball type. The other two are oem style.

 

[Babyblue66]

I'd pull the heads. Get everything checked out. All the clearances and get a different Cam and lifters. One that you know is going to work with your Springs and guides. And when the head is off check the piston deck height. That way you can calculate your compression, and pick the right camshaft.

 

[RebelRider]

I did verify that the 3 loose lifters were locked. There was quite a bit of sludge in the bottom of them as well.

 

[wyrmrider]

That would do it but
locked in the lifter bore?
or the lifter travel locked which could tag a piston unless a low compression motor
some 383's run a FT piston at or above deck
sludge?
how are the heads under the valve covers? in the valley
much sludge best to pull the pan
the pickup could be sludged up
timing chain oK
keep us posted
id lifters sludged up you can clean them
use some egg cartons to keep lifters in order if they are not worn on the bottoms
cheers
sludge? running cold?

 

[RebelRider]

No travel within the lifter. Not the bore. The pan itself has been pulled and it was full of sludge meaning a thick grease type of buildup. Not sure what you mean by running cold. The engine has very little run time at all on it.

 

[Nate S]

Sounds like the pickup was in the sludge and pumping some of it. If the filter wasn't particularly good it could have pushed some into the lifters.

 

[RebelRider]

I knew if I pulled the head, there would be no damage. No contact at all on the trouble side, so I doubt there’s any on the drivers side. There is definitely some oil buildup on number 8.

 

[PRHeads]

From that pic, it appears the heads have been milled more than just a clean up cut.

If you measure the outer row of head bolt bosses it should give you a good idea of how much.
Stock, the thickness is a nominal 1.00”

I’d pull the valves out of offending positions...... see if there is adequate lube in the guides.