[68GoatMan]

My rebuilt 455 stroker was running good and hard; put about 60 miles on it when a lifter started making more noise, then lost oil pressure (8-10# @idle). When rev'd, the motor would build 10# per 1,000rpm as it should, but I had barely any @idle. Then the #1 intake cylinder lifter started REALLY making noise. I shut her down and pulled the engine. This is what I found:



That one broken spacer plate is all that is left of the guts of that lifter, no spring, nothing. Wiped out my main, cam and rod bearings.

As I suspected, the check ball in the oil pump was stuck by metal debris (probably from the lifter being chewed up). I had the bearings replaced and flushed the oil galleys, etc. Comp sent me 1 replacement pair for the one that disintergrated but I noticed while trying to set the preload and I have three that have zero spring give, as soon as it has tension it begins moving the valve.
At this point, I am scared ****less to run these 857s again and there is no way I will run them at all unless comp sends me a set of NEW replacements with the 857-16S part number.
Or, I might just buy a new set of ??? and run those instead and sell the Comp replacements when they come. Yes, I know I should have run solids and if I had it to do over I would have, but at this point, I don't want to start over, strip the block in order to drill/restrict the lifter bores.

What would ya'll do?
Does ANYBODY make a halfway decent hydraulic roller lifter? ie. Crower,etc
If I switch brands, I am looking at a set of new pushrods too right?

Thanks for everyones help!!!

[gtofreek]

If you go to solid rollers with edge orifice oiling, you don't need to tap the lifter feed holes for restrictors. The .002"-.003" clearance between the lifter body and the lifter bore become your restrictor. I don't run restrictors in anything. With the right lifter and pushrod, there is no need for them, IMHO. Crower makes a good solid roller lifter. Never been big on the Comp rollers.

[68GoatMan]

Thanks! I've been setting here wondering if I could get by by just restricting the push rods. I need to consider going solid. uth

[68GoatMan]

Which Crowers would u recommend? I'll be done by 6100rpm

[gtofreek]

Crower 66260H-16 - Crower Roller Lifters.

http://www.summitracing.com/search/p...s/make/pontiac

You can see from the picture how the oil hole that feeds the pushrod is on the side of the body rather than in the oil groove. This is edge orifice oiling. These also have the HIPPO[high pressure pin oiling] feature.

[68GoatMan]

Would I need to run different springs? I'm running Comp 985s set @1.8 ~145# seat/ 350# open. Also, when you say the proper pushrods, are you refering to the length or the diameter. Thanks again!!!

[Tom Vaught]

Think he is talking about custom pushrods that have a smaller feed passage/hole to the rocker arm. You can order them drilled to different diameters and they become the restrictor vs taping and installing a restrictor in the lifter passage.

Hope that helps.

Tom Vaught

[lust4speed]

Did Comp cover the cam also?

As far as the three other lifters, since they have been run and probably were the ones on the closed valves, the lifters would be full of oil. A good test would to simply be to set them and then rotate the engine where the valve is open on that spring and go have lunch. I'd bet that they bleed down.

I can see the lifter link failing, but having a little trouble understanding why the guts came out of the lifter?

[68GoatMan]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

Did Comp cover the cam also?

As far as the three other lifters, since they have been run and probably were the ones on the closed valves, the lifters would be full of oil. A good test would to simply be to set them and then rotate the engine where the valve is open on that spring and go have lunch. I'd bet that they bleed down.

I can see the lifter link failing, but having a little trouble understanding why the guts came out of the lifter?

The lifter was disassembled to have a look-see; I originally thought it had just collapsed. The cross link didn't fail, the rivet was removed to access the guts. All that was left under the pushrod was the plunger and 1 broken disc.

We tried letting them bleed down, but only for a min or two. Perhaps I'll try and wait a bit longer. Even if they do bleed down I'm still gun shy of running these lifters though I don't really want to spend even more for some custom pushrods and solids. This is getting $$$.

[David Jones]

Crower Hippo's.
I had Comp Hyd Rollers too. Noisy.
These Crowers have a very pleasing slight mechanical sound.
Some random maintenance involved though.

[68GoatMan]

Originally Posted by lust4speed

Did Comp cover the cam also?

The cam looked fine.

[68GoatMan]

Originally Posted by Tom Vaught

Think he is talking about custom pushrods that have a smaller feed passage/hole to the rocker arm. You can order them drilled to different diameters and they become the restrictor vs taping and installing a restrictor in the lifter passage.

Hope that helps.

Tom Vaught

Thanks!

[68GoatMan]

Originally Posted by David Jones

Crower Hippo's.
I had Comp Hyd Rollers too. Noisy.
These Crowers have a very pleasing slight mechanical sound.
Some random maintenance involved though.

Do you recall the specs on your pushrods? Course I've running E-heads so I guess I'd have to remeasure for length...

[68GoatMan]

If I chose to stay with a hydraulic setup, it looks like the only choices for a hydraulic roller lifter in a pontiac are:

Crane ~$700/set
Scorpion ~$500/set
Comp ~$500/set
Howards ~$430/set
Lunati ~$400/set

What justifies the high price of the cranes? Anyone know anything about the Scorpions? Howards? Lunatis?

There is not a lot of info out there beside people running Comps or switching to solids. :l

[MNBob]

Here is another thread on this subject, I don't know if you read it:

Lunati Lifters

[Lee]

What valley pan were you using? Any sign of interference?

[68GoatMan]

Originally Posted by Lee

What valley pan were you using? Any sign of interference?

Stock pan off a 1971 GrandPrix 400. No signs of interference.

[grandville455]

Originally Posted by 68GoatMan

Would I need to run different springs? I'm running Comp 985s set @1.8 ~145# seat/ 350# open. Also, when you say the proper pushrods, are you refering to the length or the diameter. Thanks again!!!

How much total lift u running with your rockers? What valves? I ran the solids on my road paver hyd, shifting at 6500 with titanium retainers with 145 seat and 388 open... If u had TI retainers , probably ok, but I think closer to 375-400 open would be better.

[gtofreek]

Originally Posted by 68GoatMan

Would I need to run different springs? I'm running Comp 985s set @1.8 ~145# seat/ 350# open. Also, when you say the proper pushrods, are you refering to the length or the diameter. Thanks again!!!

I didn't say anything about needing custom pushrods with smaller holes. The lifter with edge orifice oiling is the restrictor itself.

You will need stiffer springs. Depends on what solid roller you go with. Most are going to need at least 170-180 lbs. on the seat or more, and 500+ open. Depends on the cam lobe. I setup all the heads at our shop, so with cam specs, I can suggest safe operating pressures for you.

[68GoatMan]

Originally Posted by grandville455

How much total lift u running with your rockers? What valves? I ran the solids on my road paver hyd, shifting at 6500 with titanium retainers with 145 seat and 388 open... If u had TI retainers , probably ok, but I think closer to 375-400 open would be better.

I am running comp titanium retainers, springs are comp 985-16's set up @ 1.80 installed height. Gave me a 146# seat @ 1.8 & a 358# open @ 1.22 I'm .07 from coil bind (1.150). Spring rate is 366 #/in.

Cam is a XR288; .5552 Intake, .576 Exhaust w/ my 1.6 roller rockers