Sticky Lifter

[rather_be_boatin]

I've got a 305 merc. 2bbl, Alpha drive. 2000 Maxum 25' and when I started her the other day I had a horrible knock from the starboard bank. I removed the valve cover and found the #6, forward rocker very loose and the rod not as far up as the others. This leads me to beleive the hydrolic lifter is stuck. The spring was intact and neither the push rod or rocker arm were bent. My questions are: Does this sound like the correct diagnosis? Is there anything I can do to fix this without intake manifold removal? While it was running the knock would come and go through all rpm ranges, although I was afraid to bring it up past 2k with such a knock. Plenty of good oil pressure too. Thanks in advance for any help.

 

[buggiedad_67]

Re: Sticky Lifter

your going to have to pull the intake to see and repair anyway, from there you can see the lobes on cam,

 

[Bondo]

Re: Sticky Lifter

Ayuh,.....

The only options I see are,.....

Run it a few hours,+ Hope that it frees up,.....
Or,....
Pull it down,+ replace the Bad parts.........

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Sticky Lifter

Before you run it, get a hammer and tap the valve. it just might be stuck open a bit. Also check the rocker stud to make sure it hasent pulled out a bit.

 

[FreeBeeTony]

Re: Sticky Lifter

While you have the valve cover off, try pouring some Marvel Mystery oil down the push rod and let it soak overnight.............I had the same problem with a car once.......worked for me.

 

[rather_be_boatin]

Re: Sticky Lifter

I was going to attempt the Marvel Mystery Oil today and realized that the pushrod was completely bent kind of bad in sort of a "Z". I don't know what would cause this. Stuck valve? I don't think rust or vapor lock could hold a valve shut that hard or could it? I'll try a spring compressor (after I buy one) and check if the valve will open. Does this sound like the right course? Again, everything looks perfect; spring, valve, rocker arm, at least whats visible.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Sticky Lifter

Before you push down on the valve, make sure the piston is out of the way or you are going to bend the valve.

 

[buggiedad_67]

Re: Sticky Lifter

i would still want to look at the bottom of that lifter if it hit so hard as to bend that push rod that bad, you may have dished that lifter, if you did damage the lifter and dont fix it you ruin the cam.

 

[Coors]

Re: Sticky Lifter

Move the rocker out of the way, and smack the valve stem with a big hammer;You'll see if it's stuck. The pushrod can bend if enough slack was in it, but usually it's the valve.
The lifter might be collapsed, also.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Sticky Lifter

If the rod is bent, it was caused by a stuck valve. usually an exaust valve .
It only gets that way from a leaky riser and sitting all winter.

 

[rather_be_boatin]

Re: Sticky Lifter

Thanks for all the info. I thought that there was an issue on that side bc the riser got hotter than the other side. She did not run hot so I did not think too much of it, put risers/and manifolds on the to-do list for winter and did them 2 months ago. Is there a way to save the valve or remove the head and take to machine shop? Even if I get the valve free, I'm guessing it won't re-seat nice and tight? Is removing the intake a bad job? The risers/manifolds were a snap. Also is removing the head a big job? Sounds like best case I can free the valve and (if I'm Irish) it may re-seat. But the lifter (at the very least) needs an inspection wich requires intake man. removal. Does anyone know if the intake gasket is one of those horrible 4 peice gaskets? Also does anyone know if the gasket sets are simply General Motors or need to be more expen$ive quicksilver? Thanks again.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Sticky Lifter

The short version
drain block and manifolds,fuel line, wiring, dist, throttle cable,12 bolts,remove manifold, remove pushrods, (I think) 16 head bolts,pull head,
BUT
try tapping it first ,maybe with some penetrating oil and it might free itself.