Lifter Bore Damage

[unclepunchy]

Hi Guys, I noticed a piece of the casting at the bottom of my lifter bore is chipped out. Anything to worry about - should I smooth it out with the die grinder?

 

[R413]

That is not the lifter bore. It is the outside if it.

what is this engine and what is it used for?

 

[unclepunchy]

Its a 383. Just a street driver, nothing crazy.

 

[R413]

Should be fine on a mild engine. yes smooth it out.

 

[zyzzyx]

Very unusual for a piece to come out in that spot! Please clean the bore with carb cleaner
to remove ALL of the oil and also clean a good lifter the same way and check the bore for
size/wobble. If the bore is wallowed out on the bottom, you'll have to have it bushed! No
getting around that! While you're at it, check them all!

 

[GTX JOHN]

Smooth out the edges.
Check and make sure there is still enough
metal left around the lifter bore to have good support.
If not = I would advise bushing that one lifter bore for
support. It is not a hard machine operation.
I often bush all 16 on my engines.

 

[Lefty71]

I would at least check for any possible burr, and then broach the bore to make sure it feels right. Oddly enough, it looks like it just happened.... Any clue how???

 

[INTMD8]

Doesn't look too bad but I would smooth it out. Hopefully it's the drivers side.

 

[unclepunchy]

Honestly, I just noticed it. I smoothed it out with a sanding drum. There is still quite a bit of meat on it.

 

[unclepunchy]

This is the final result. I think I can live with it for a stock-ish build.

 

[GTX JOHN]

does the lifter move up and down smoothly with
no binding?
If so you are fine

 

[unclepunchy]

Hi John, Yes it moves nicely and no side-play.

I would guess there isn't much pressure on the sidewall of the bore anyways? Mostly vertical up/down movement.

 

[Lefty71]

Forgot to say.....may not be a bad idea to find the chunk and throw it out lol.

 

[unclepunchy]

Forgot to say.....may not be a bad idea to find the chunk and throw it out lol.

Nah, my new Cam will just chew it up no problem!

 

[steve340]

You can give the lifter bores a light hone with a brake hone if you need to.
Main thing is the lifter is free to rotate in the bore - if it moves smoothly you should be OK.

 

[Wietse]

Have a good look for cracks, if you don't know the reason why that piece broke there could be a crack going up the lifter bore.