hydraulic lifters

I have a new motor which I cant seem to get the valves adjusted correctly. Some of the lifters are hard as a rock and some are still spongy. The motor has about 1 hour of running time. I have tried 4 times now and always end up with different results. I have 45 lbs oil pressure at idle and 85lbs above 2000. The spongy ones makes it hard to find zero lash. I am adjusting them at zero plus 1/2 turn. I am adjusting intake when exhaust is just starting to open and adjusting exhaust when intake just starts to close. Am I doing something wrong or do you think I have a bad set of lifters. They are Comp Cam lifters that came with the cam.

Thanks

 

I personally have not had good luck with comp's hydraulic lifters. Not to say they are bad lifters, I just have always had the same problem with some staying pumped, some bleeding down prematurely. You are adjusting them correctly, that's not a problem. I'd run it some more, and if it doesnt help after a few hours of running time, I'd change the lifters to melling, trw, or some other brand. I've always liked the trw's myself, but opinions are like camaros---everybody's got one!

 

Certainly sounds like the lifters are not pumping up. I have a set of comp cams lifters in my mav for the last 10 years. One thing you did not state was if you oil primed the motor? Before I started my motor for the first time I primed it via the dist shaft with a drill. Just a thought,,, but no opinion on the matter, but I do own a Camaro!!

 

I did preprime it before I started it. I tore it down tonight to find at least 6 lobes wipped out. I can only figure it was caused by the lifters.

 

Well that sucks, but if it was easy, everyone would be doin it. I would think comp cams would stand behind it, but you are out on gaskets and time. I always talk with a tech at the company when something like this occurs, they like solid feedback in situations like this. Keep us informed!
Dan

 

I'm sure you did, but the cam and lifters must be coated with the special lube at assembly, and when started, the engine should be run at 2000+ for 1/2 hr. This should have been in the instructions with the cam if you bought new.

 

cam for you

personnally I prefer Crane or Crower cams. Never had a problem with them in 30 yrs of using them in Fords. Street and racing

 

I did initally assemble everything with the special lube and break it in at 2000 for 30 minuets. I have talked to many people about this and some have said either they have had problems with Comp Cams' lifters or they knew someone who did. In all fairness, most have never had a problem. Its just like anything, sometimes you get good stuff sometimes you dont. I just got everything back together yesterday. I stayed with Comp Cam's camshaft but used Crane lifters. I went the next bigger grind on the cam. We also reduced the spring pressure about 25lbs just to be safe. So far, it seems to be fine.

 

glad to hear things are coming together. I had a crane cam in my motor for 14 years and was totally happy. In 1992 when I built my current motor I went to my motor guru and he suggested Comp Cams at the time. I had wanted to stick with Crane but I do respect this dudes advice, after 10 years not one problem. I know you been round the block enuff times to put it together right, so you were probably dealing with some inferior parts. Sucks when it happens, but it does happen to all of us. I could tell you nightmares that the bikers are having with motor mods, but that is for a different forum.
Oh yeah if they were engines then they would be called enginecycles.... hehe