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So, I just finished rebuilding the heads on my Comet. 289 V8. It has hydraulic lifters and I’m wondering if I crushed them after tightening the rockers too much or what… After installing the heads I had tightened down the rockers to a good starting point. Started the car and it actually ran very well and sounded great. Oil was flowing, no problem. Some of the rockers were clacking. I turned off the car and started to tighten them down per the service manual specifications (zero lash, plus 1/2 turn). Afterwards, I went to start it and it wouldn’t start. It squealed real bad like something was stuck. So, I loosed all the rockers just a tad…and tried again and it started fine, only no oil was flowing anymore. What the heck happened? Did I crush my lifters to a point that oil isn’t following through them and up the rods? I pulled a couple rods to see if they looked damaged and they were still straight and un-impeded. Anyone have any thoughts or had this happen to them?
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Yep, spark is confirmed. Fuel is confirmed. The carburetor is brand new and was running great before all this.
Well, looks like it’s back to the drawing board. I did some compression tests and they were terribly low… 90psi tops. C;(
Just pulled the intake, guess I’m gonna have to pull the heads off too. Son of a…I would bet good money your timing is out. You may need to line everything up TDC for #1 cylinder compression stroke and then reinstall the distributor with #1 terminal on the distributor cap lined up with the rotor, remember as you install it the rotor will move so be sure to account for that when you put it in the engine. I normally mark the position of the distributor as well as the rotor location whenever I remove one from an engine to make reassembly easier.
Just a quick update. I pulled the lifters out to give them all a look over…one of them fell apart after I pulled it out. That’s new.
Ordered a new set.
Boy oh boy….I still think you have an issue with timing based on your description but if the valves aren’t opening properly it can also cause a backfire. Keep us posted on your progress.
Well, I’m pleased to say, I got her back on the road this week! T)
I really was starting to think the old 289 was toast, but it’s purring like a kitty again.Thanks for the help guys!
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