Re: lifter

[jlandry@domain.elided (John A. Landry)]

The aliens commander decided DSkirtech@domain.elided would make a
perfect specimen for dissection, and he yelled...

>Dont you think it would be possible that the valve would be left
>somewhat open if the lifter was in the up possition or the pushrod bent?

Dane,

If the pushrod was bent, then no... everything else being normal... the
valve would tend to stay closed (or open less).  A bent valve on the other
hand would prevent complete seating and valve leakage.  The 392 I just
rebuilt had a bent intake valve that was only apparent when the machine
shop went to grind it's face.  Don't ask me how it happened because nothing
else in the engine showed physical damage.  There was a lot of rust in some
of the intake pockets and several cylinders due to water.  The engine was
seized from the rust when I brought it home from the wrecking yard.  I
don't know if the water entered the engine while it sat for a couple of
years at the wrecking yard or if the engine somehow ingested water and was
hydro-locked.  The starter has signs of being filled with water and was
internally rusted solidly.

With regard to a lifter staying "up" (not moving back down in its bore to
fully contact the cam)... think about this:  The valve springs produce a
tremendous amount of force in an effort to close the valve.  I'm not saying
it's impossible, but I seriously doubt some oil varnish is going to hold a
lifter up and a valve open against the valve spring pressure.  To top it
off, if the lifter wasn't following the entire profile of the cam, I'd
think you'd certainly hear a loud "whacking" noise (at half engine speed)
as the cam slammed into the lifter each time it rotated around.

I think it's time for a leak down test myself.  I still think you have a
damaged valve.

John L.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------- 
jlandry AT halcyon DOT com      | 
Conservative Libertarian        |  "The road to  tyranny, we must never
Life Member of the NRA          |   forget, begins with the destruction
WA Arms Collectors              |   of the truth."
Commercial Helicopter - Inst.   |                     William J. Clinton
http://www.halcyon.com/jlandry/ |    10-15-95, speech at the Univ. of CT