Well, just as I suspected, the old lifters were hydraulic and they are all frozen. I am unable to push the tops down. I also just bought a new set of lifters to make that comparison and confirm what they are. Now it seems to me that they in all probability put a hydro set in a block (pre 81) without making the necessary modifications. The heads are 81-83. Is there a definite way I can check to see if any proper conversion was made without puling the engine and breaking it down? Based on our past discussions, it seems like my best and perhaps only option to avoid like problems in the future is to go with a solid setup. Am I right? Thanks everyone. Sorry to take so much of everyone's time but I need to finish this beast up.

Mike

Try to get the old lifters apart and determined why they seized. They are either seized due to varnish buildup, or lack of lubrication. My guess is the second answer.

If and only if you verify that by looking at the lifters, then there are two most likely reasons for oil starvation: Either because the cam and bearings are incorrect, or because it was driven with the rocker shaft supports mounted in the wrong positions. If it's the cam, out comes the engine. If you found the rocker shaft put together wrong, and the outer surfaces and the bottom of the lifters are free of scuffing, you can drop in your new kit and try again.

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

If I just go with a solid lifter setup, including adjustable rockers, etc. Is that a solution short of yanking the engine? Thanks.

Mike

In a way I suspect the reassembly I did after the head rebuild. It had worked prior to that although I don't know how long it was like that before I bought it. The towers on this head are permanently cast with the head. The only possibility I see is the shaft was maybe on backward?? However, as I recall, I was very careful in how I laid out the components when I cleaned them. Is the hole at the rear of the shaft supposed to be larger since it has the different bolt? Thanks all.

Mike

Im not sure if you will get acceptable performance out of solid lifters and a hydraulic cam. I still think you need to determine why the old lifters seized. Does anyone know how he can verify proper oil flow to the rocker shaft? Im sure the difference between the delivery from the two cams is observable.

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

It appears the rocker shaft had the larger hole to the front of the engine. Should it not be toward the rear to facilitate oil flow? Seems that may be the problem so I can maybe go back with the hydro setup. Thanks.

Mike

I don't know but I hope you get this worked out and actually get to start enjoying the reliability your engine is reputed for. Don't give up!

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I've been calling it as i see it for my entire life and that's not about to change. Take it or leave it.

After closer examination, the other bolts will not fit into the hole at the rear of the rocker shaft so the shaft was assembled correctly. I opened up one of the lifters and it looks nice and clean and that was one from the bent pushrod. I guess there was still too much oil or something that prevented me from pushing it down. So, I guess at this point it is all a mystery. Since I see no obvious problems, I am going to have to assume that I must have made some kind of mistake in putting the rockers on last time and that was why the pushrods bent. Then, once they bent, those valves got stuck from running the engine. So, I will replace the lifters, pushrods and rocker assembly and try again. It does appear that the lifters are getting enough oil and all. Unless anyone has a final thought, that is what I will do next weekend when the parts arrive. Thanks everyone and hopefully I can get this thing outta my garage.

Mike