494 Pontiac
 

I had a slight ticking noise the other day in my 494 Pontiac
and since I have had all sorts of valve train issues
in the past I thought I better tear things apart
Engine has 3000 miles on it with a big lift .748 solid
roller cam and isky easy roller lifters. I was thinking
it may be a lifter going bad as I have driven it a lot
on the street lately. Still trying to determine if we
actually replaced the springs after redoing the cam
It looks like we may have taken the inners out and
tested the others. Glad I got to this before the valve
dropped. New springs should fix things but as always why?
Car did sit for a year and a half after my hip surgery so it
may have been compressed all that time and not liking it
If we did not replace the springs then the old ones saw
bad angles etc that may have not helped

Bob

Good save!
 

Wholly crap Bob! Glad you caught that before a valve dropped and made more than a "ticking" noise!

I should probably pull my 440cid and go through it soon... no issues but it's been 10 years so bearings should be checked and if all is well new gaskets and some fresh paint should make it happy for another 10!

Keep it Poncho powered!

Good catch!!

494 Pontiac
 

Comp cams wants to know the
installed height of the valve. Going
to pull a spring in the front as it is easier to measure
I think they are worried about coil bind

Bob

494 pontiac
 

Pulled the Dizzy and found all this rust etc
I had a similar issue with the one on the Pantera
Going to order a new dizzy from a shop up north
that makes a msd type dizzy but things are coated
Not sure where all the moisture is coming from.. no leaks


Bob

Bob, what is the part number on those springs? Solid rollers are super hard on valvetrain parts. I run a solid roller in my Chevelle, and inspection/maintance is paramount. Comp had a bad run on some springs, is why I’m wondering about the part numbers.

I had the same rust on my 4 year old MSD-85551. My car always in a dry garage, but I've heard rust is accelerated by ionized air in the distributor.

494 Pontiac
 

Scott,
Springs were not comp and had a bunch of bad angle
stresses on them before I put the shaft system on
Thought my engine builder replaced them
Now going to a comp cam compatible spring
Isky easy rollers all looked good (3000 miles on them)
Plenty of oil on the lifters and rockers thanks to the MR1
aftermarket Pontiac block.. Scoped the cylinder last night
and it looks good

Adam,
Reading on line Msd has an issue with rusting
They say it does not effect things... some racers
take it apart and spray with clear lacquer paint

Bob

494 pontiac
 

So in talking to comp cams my springs at 525 open were not
strong enough for my Solid Roller cam.. they want 625-650
Problem is Comp does not make a spring for my head.. wonder why
Pontiac engine with a copy of a Cleveland canted valve head with
chevy BB valve train... should be easy.. not really

Pac Springs has a set but they are smaller diameter so I need
to change out lower retainer... his size is a couple thousands less
on the retainer so might have to have it machined

Never easy on this car

Bob