383 oil passage to lifters

[rsw0331usmc]

Next issue... I thought I may have a collapsed lifter. After hearing some chatter, I pulled the valve cover and found one rocker with a lot of clearance. I readjusted to zero tolerance and preloaded 180 degrees. Now I can push the rod down in to the lifter and the spring within the lifter will keep it up. I am wondering why it is not full of oil, thereby making it stiff and impossible to push down. Should I look for a clogged oil passage? Where do the lifters receive their oil supply?

[c00nhunterjoe]

You can prime the motor with a drill and look for oil in the lifter galleys. I seriously doubt its clogged. Probably a bad lifter and or wiped cam lobe. Why did 1 rocker have so much play? Was the adjuster loose when you checked it? Where did that play come from?

[rsw0331usmc]

Well, I found the issue to be a wiped lobe and lifter. How it got trashed is another mystery. I'll have to do my best to ensure I have adequate oil flow before putting everything back together. The cam and lifters were Edelbrock 7194. I have a Comp Cams 21-223-4 that I have installed. Comp lifters will be here today. Both are close in lift and duration.

[rsw0331usmc]

You can prime the motor with a drill and look for oil in the lifter galleys. I seriously doubt its clogged. Probably a bad lifter and or wiped cam lobe. Why did 1 rocker have so much play? Was the adjuster loose when you checked it? Where did that play come from?

The rocker had so much play due to the damage to both the lobe and lifter. The adjuster was not loose.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Sometimes i hate being right.

What valve springs are on it. Did you check the pressures. What breakin method did you use. What oil are you running.