[John Milner]

Since some of the pushrods are bent I'm wondering if the correct length pushrods were used to replace the bent ones? Maybe the new ones were mis-marked or something? I think I'd pull that intake and valley pan, inspect the lifters and pushrods and re-adjust the valves, making sure the rockers are installed correctly.

[Va68goat]

So here is an update. Just to review what has been done. I initially had a windage tray spacing issue and we fixed that issue. I have replaced the rockers, push rods and lifters. We verified timing, re-checked the vacuum lines, there are no exhaust leaks. A compression check was done and it read 150 on each cylinder. We took off the heads and had them inspected at a quality speed shop and everything came back good. I think the only thing that hasn't been replaced is the flexplate. I purchased a new one and sent it to Paul. He balanced it and I'm hoping to install the new one soon. I'm hoping this is the problem. Here is a video of the car running while on the lift.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h0Ps-O3EODY

[Va68goat]

AG,

It's just wishful thinking about the flexplate. I can't say with 100% certainty if the knocking increases with RPM but it doesnt appear that way. I think this is the last step before the motor goes back. I know the flexplate is the only part that hasn't been replaced. Paul is scratching his head on this one as well. He's been part of this since the start of the motor. I think we are both hoping this resolves the problem!

[gtofreek]

Here's a pic of the poly-lock position when I put it together. All were even and about 1-2 threads sticking up.

[grivera]

Joe -

In one of the pics you sent me yesterday, it looks like the roller tip has made a broad pattern on the valve tip, that is toward the inner edge. Since new pushrods are inevitable, make sure you measure for them before pulling the trigger.

[TedRamAirII]

If the poly locks still ended up at different heights, I want to know why?

[chiphead]

The refrigerator bulb in my brain came on today. In one of those videos, there was tons of oil coming out of the #2 and #4 cylinder pushrods, and not much out of the #6 or 8 pushrods. I know I mentioned letting it run longer, but if you did and the same thing kept up, something may be amiss with the lifters.

How does the metering work in those lifters? Does the lifter control the flow of oil to the pushrod with a fixed orifice or a disc? Is there a chance one of those lifters is bypassing too much oil, and not pumping up correctly? Meaning, all the oil is going right out the pushrod, and not staying trapped in the lifter body to take the slack out of the plunger?

I know its a long shot, but if you don't find anything else, then you would have to look at the lifters. This is after tie bar contact, lifter bore condition and valvetrain geometry is verified.

Here is some lifter 101 for reference:

http://www.victor-aviation.com/Hydra...on_Matched.php

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b2RZqIETIpQ

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

Originally Posted by TedRamAirII

If the poly locks still ended up at different heights, I want to know why?

What he said!

[TedRamAirII]

Seems if you can put your hand on the oil pan,starter, bell housing, rear cap/oil pan area, etc and FEEL the noise? I would for sure pull the plugs and turn the crank by hand. I think it was Sam from Qatar that showed a video in slow motion, that was great. If you marked the flywheel with a paint mark, and had a timing light on it, in slow motion, you could pinpoint where the noise was in the rotation. That guy in the video with the stethoscope should have found it by now! Good Luck. ; ) How was the oil pump shaft / crankshaft clearance?

[NeighborsComplaint]

The only ways to bend a pushrod are piston to valve contact (engine would be sick), tight guide plate notches or guide plate misalignment (pushrods would be scored), or collapsed lifter from over-adjusting. It's not a mystery.

[Chief of the 60's]

Originally Posted by NeighborsComplaint

The only ways to bend a pushrod are piston to valve contact (engine would be sick), tight guide plate notches or guide plate misalignment (pushrods would be scored), or collapsed lifter from over-adjusting. It's not a mystery.

A valve guide not properly sized would also do it. Guide to stem clearance too tight, valve sticks, pushrod bends.

[Va68goat]

Steelcityfirebird,

The pushrods are not really bent..more like "warped". We ran them across a piece of glass and they wobbled slightly. You can't even tell theyre warped by just looking at it. I don't have a rev limiter installed. The car has less than 100 miles on it and it's been driven lightly. It was suggested to me that I install a rev limiter through. We haven't noticed any broken valve springs. Unfortunately, I don't know enough about cars to even begin to try and figure this out on my own. The friends that have worked on this car are very good with Pontiacs and cars in general. Though there has been a few guys working on this car, they're all on the same page so there really isn't any confusion.

Chiphead,

I hope we don't have to take the heads off. I'm staying in touch with Paul trying to diagnosis the problems. I have to admit, it's getting frustrating because this car should be on the road but I certainly don't want to continue to drive this car with these issues. Waiting for friends to find time to diagnose the issues with my motor when they have their own cars to worry about is getting old..fast.

Hopefully we'll get some time to work on the car this weekend.

[ponchjoe]

My suggestion is let Paul look at it like he suggested in post 156

[chiphead]

But how do you bring the mountain to Mohammed? Somebody would need to strap a GoPro to their forehead and let Paul drive him around like Ratatouille. I feel for Paul, he's trying to make it right via phone, and that's not easy.

[vidguy]

That's a possibility.. A skype video call or something?

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

The wonky polylock settings are yelling you something. I highly doubt they were that way in the initial assembly. Something has changed or a really bad valve adjustment. I'd bet it's not the adjustment if you had an experienced guy do the last adjustment. Now if someone adjusted some too tight on a previous adjustment, you may of had some interference, hence the tweeked p rods.
Also...Did you let anyone else drive it that may have twisted it's neck too tight?

I'd take the rockers off both sides and lay a straight edge across the tips of the valves and report back.


...Or leave valvetrain intact and pull intake and valley pan. Something got longer not shorter if the lock screw is now sticking out of the poly locks.
Either pulled a valve head or pop ed retainer from lifter body. Not much else that could happen unless you got longer P rods than were in it mixed in.

Take some more high quality pics of the valves with good lighting from different perspectives while you wait for help!

[STEELCITYFIREBIRD]

Qty. Item Name Total
- + remove Pontiac Ram Air HO Retro Fit Johnson Hylift Hydraulic Roller lifters USA A-2347 Pontiac Ram Air HO Retro Fit Johnson Hylift Hydraulic Roller lifters USA A-2347 $703.84
$703.84
Sub-Total:

$0.00
Shipping (Shipping):

$657.94
Discount:

$45.90
Total:

I put 16 in my cart, $45.90 for a 16!!!!
Too good to be true.
I think thats a junk yard based on other items on the site.

[tom s]

2X gto jones

[promptcritical]

Originally Posted by Formulajones

Too many people have had their hands on this thing now and it seems instead of a cure it's just creating more problems.

Originally Posted by GTO JONES

Too many hands have been on that motor. Period

Originally Posted by tom s

2X gto jones

This^^^^^

[Va68goat]

I was told to let you guys know that the compression test read 150 when the car was cold and it was turned over 3 times on each test.