Engine performance guys I have a question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Dannyboy1966 · 03-09-2015, 07:30 PM

I have a 1986 GMC Sierra Classic, with a 350 under the hood. It's been a long time since I really dug into a motor, and as soon as it warms up I'm planning on pulling the heads and have them re-done they have a couple valves burnt. At the same time I've had some lifter noise the rattling click sound so I know I might have worn push rods, or a weak lifter or worn rocker arm. If my noise is from the push rods, or lifters do you recomend replacing all of them or just ones making noise? And if all of them should I go back with the stock lifters, or go with roller lifters? They didn't have them the last time i tore into a motor so it wasn't an option at the time. Thanks for any help.

Jake Wade · 03-09-2015, 07:43 PM

Do you have a flat tappet cam now? You have to have a roller camshaft to use roller lifters.

Your valve train noise
COULD be from worn lobes on the camshaft. It would be sad to install reconditioned heads to find your camshaft is bad.

Bigstevex4 · 03-10-2015, 01:22 PM

Push rods lifters are cheap its more likly the lifters or need ajusted.Theres the i wouldbnt change lifters with out changing cam crowd.I have done it before and about every 20 thousand on my evo RK change them because the bearings wear out in the rollor. If you find a lifter with a worn head you will nead a cam.

Slammed84 · 03-10-2015, 03:19 PM

Personally, I wouldn't mess with replacing lifters without replacing the cam too. Flat tappets are cheap, but if you don't break em in right you'll trash em. If you want a daily driver just slap a flat tappet in there.

Now if you want more performance, the possibilities are dependent on your budget

Dannyboy1966 · 03-10-2015, 08:12 PM

Hey guys thanks.I appreciate the input. I thought i was gonna need a new cam if i went to the roller lifters, just wasn't sure. As far as my noise goes I just think it's something loose. I have plenty of power, and a nice steady even idle, with no bogging down or flat spots. So it's a great daily driver. I didn't get hurt one bit for $1900, the body is in excellent shape, the interior is all original, the dash has the normal earthquake faults in it, other than that it's a great truck. I'll tare into it in a month, and see if I can figure out if it's something loose or not, and get back to you guys and let you know what I find out.

Thanks again

03-09-2015, 07:30 PM	#1
Dannyboy1966 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: KANSAS CITY Posts: 100	Engine performance guys I have a question I have a 1986 GMC Sierra Classic, with a 350 under the hood. It's been a long time since I really dug into a motor, and as soon as it warms up I'm planning on pulling the heads and have them re-done they have a couple valves burnt. At the same time I've had some lifter noise the rattling click sound so I know I might have worn push rods, or a weak lifter or worn rocker arm. If my noise is from the push rods, or lifters do you recomend replacing all of them or just ones making noise? And if all of them should I go back with the stock lifters, or go with roller lifters? They didn't have them the last time i tore into a motor so it wasn't an option at the time. Thanks for any help.

03-09-2015, 07:43 PM	#2
Jake Wade Registered User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 711	Re: Engine performance guys I have a question Do you have a flat tappet cam now? You have to have a roller camshaft to use roller lifters. Your valve train noise COULD be from worn lobes on the camshaft. It would be sad to install reconditioned heads to find your camshaft is bad.

03-10-2015, 01:22 PM	#3
Bigstevex4 Registered User Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Spearfish South Dakota Posts: 407	Re: Engine performance guys I have a question Push rods lifters are cheap its more likly the lifters or need ajusted.Theres the i wouldbnt change lifters with out changing cam crowd.I have done it before and about every 20 thousand on my evo RK change them because the bearings wear out in the rollor. If you find a lifter with a worn head you will nead a cam. __________________ 83 c10 long Box Daily Driver 90 Jimmy parked 98 Road King/ 06 Road Glide In memorium 63 impala SS/ 65 Chevy Panel 65 GMC Short Box/ 68 Camero

03-10-2015, 03:19 PM	#4
Slammed84 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Tulsa, OK Posts: 281	Re: Engine performance guys I have a question Personally, I wouldn't mess with replacing lifters without replacing the cam too. Flat tappets are cheap, but if you don't break em in right you'll trash em. If you want a daily driver just slap a flat tappet in there. Now if you want more performance, the possibilities are dependent on your budget __________________ 84' C-10 Custom Deluxe 97' & 98' C-1500 Silverados

03-10-2015, 08:12 PM	#5
Dannyboy1966 Registered User Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: KANSAS CITY Posts: 100	Re: Engine performance guys I have a question Hey guys thanks.I appreciate the input. I thought i was gonna need a new cam if i went to the roller lifters, just wasn't sure. As far as my noise goes I just think it's something loose. I have plenty of power, and a nice steady even idle, with no bogging down or flat spots. So it's a great daily driver. I didn't get hurt one bit for $1900, the body is in excellent shape, the interior is all original, the dash has the normal earthquake faults in it, other than that it's a great truck. I'll tare into it in a month, and see if I can figure out if it's something loose or not, and get back to you guys and let you know what I find out. Thanks again



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