Lucas Oil Stabilizer quieting lifters
 

Long question short, has anyone found it to help?

what kind of lifters, hyd roller or FT? i use it in my older craftsman lawn mower & it definitely quiets the slight bearing noise & stops or slows some oil burning on cold start ups. i have used some in a FT cam 400 engine when i had some extra, didnt notice any difference in lifter sound, which is not really an issue to begin with.

for hyd roller noise, many manufacturers & engine builders suggest a thinner oil like 10/30, using thicker oil or adding super thick additives like STP or lucas probably wont help the issue, but im sure each situation is different, give it a try if you have noisy lifters.

I have Lunati Hyd Rollers

The Lunati (morel) lifters have poor QC across machining tolerances. Short of finding the lifter/s that have too much bleed and replacing them, you're not going to quiet them down.

I've tried several different additives and cleaning methods, including Rislone, sea foam, oil stabilizers and 30 through 50 weight oils in from various manufacturers.

There are some things you can do to help the issue.

1. Bump your idle up to increase your oil pressure at hot idle
2. Use a hood blanket and make sure your wheel wells have the fabric lining installed
3. Run the lifters with more pre-load

I've found that the more pre-load I run, the quieter they get. You're taking the hydraulic action out of the lifter, so it's not collapsing as hard when oil pressure is low. I'm running just past 3/4's turn on my 7/16-20 studs. More than that and my pattern across the valve tip really starts to go away. Cliff R has recommended setting them from bottom up by running the pushrod down, then going a half to 3/4's turn back, nearly making the lifter a solid. You'll likely need new pushrods however.

I don't have performance or reliability issues with these lifters, even at close to 30K on them. They are just loud. You'll either have to live with the noise, try out the items above, or replace them with something better.

I don’t seem to have any performance issue, one set on the passenger side just ticks

More than likely you'll have the same experience I've had. You'll try various remedies to some or no success, but otherwise won't be able to stop them from ticking in any meaningful way.

The thing that has helped me the most was raising my idle from 750rpm to 900rpm and adding about a 1/4 turn extra pre-load.

I use it in everything I own. All engines have never been hurt.
I have a Briggs lawn mower engine. The very first over head valve engine. It has Lucas in it and I bought the mower in the mid 90s. Been through 4-5 decks, 3 carbs and one pull start unit.
Still running.

What oil you running and brand?

My 455HO has a slight tick, started adding Lucas Oil Stabilizer and it has helped it some, especially on a cold start.

Lucas 20/50

why lucas with high zddp for FT cams? & why 20/50? did the engine builder suggest that weight based on engine clearances?

most companies & guys i have talked to & read say to use 10/30 for a street engine/hyd roller lifters.

My engine builder specified 20/50. I am using Lucas for break in and then will switch to Valvoline ZR1. Any other suggestions?

ok just curious. the high zddp specialty oil for a roller cam during "break in" or afterwards isnt really needed but it's ok to use it, its a good non synthetic oil.

i've read butler suggests 20/50 on their street engines but not sure why, many other reputable pontiac & general engine builders suggest a thinner oil that still maintains good pressure for engines built for street use.

for your situation of ticking hyd roller lifters, the majority of recommendations ive heard say 10/30 is best for these types of lifters, just a suggestion based on what i've been told & whats worked for my HR lifters in a E head 467.

I have tried Mobil 1 10/30, 10/40 and their 15/50. I've also tried a Castrol 10/40 and Amsoil zrod 20/50.

There was no real audible change in lifter noise at hot idle between any of those oils in my KRE headed 462. There was very minor increase in hot idle pressure between them all. As a result I run the Mobile 10w30 since it's readily available everywhere.

i have not experimented with weights like that on this engine, i just used the 10/30 based on what my builder suggested for the engine & the fact it has excellent psi. i did have some ticking on the 1st gen of comp lifters but had them replaced under warranty with the newer "S" models, at the time SD performance suggested the 10/30 for HR lifters.

I believe there are three factors that contribute.

1. Poor machining tolerances and QC on some lifters. This causes excessive bleed rates, especially when oil pressure is lower (idle). The lifters collapse and tick as a result.
2. Bearing clearances or oil pumps that are not setup to provide 20+psi of hot idle oil pressure
3. Improper tolerance between lifter bore and lifter body. Leakage past the lifter body due to excessive fit between a lifter body and lifter bore could make an otherwise good lifter, collapse as well.

We all like to blame the lifters and certainly there is evidence to suggest some of them are at least partly to blame. Extreme cases like mine likely suffer from a combination of issues related to poor lifter QC as well as issues with engine machining or assembly.

Which ones? If the back two cylinders, did you make sure to install the oil galley plug in the back of the block? BTDT, when the machine shop left it out. Bleed down on number 6 and 8 cylinders. Required pulling the trans, flywheel, and freeze plug to install the missing galley plug.

I didnt build the engine Wayne Sless did. He is local but he is listed as a master pontiac builder. He has built caster1 and others engines. I am very pleased with the performance. I just think its the nature of the Lunati lifters.

I have found the "old"school guys are still stuck on 20-50 oil.I for one think its unnecessary.I agree on a good breakin oil but I still run 10-30 or 10-40 at most.JMHO,Tom

There saying 20w50 is too heavy for hydraulic lifters. 40 weight at most I’ve been told by Johnson rep.
I’m curious on what oil pressure you have