top end troubles July 07, 2008, 12:15:33 AM Hey I started a new thread, since the original one kinda went to a engine tech thread. here's a link to the original http://www.foxtbirdcougarforums.com/showthread.php?t=20061I buttoned the car all up and drove it around the block, and it was TURD slow...I mean a 3.8 tbi car would run circles around it... I talked to my dad and he said it might have to much play in it, and might cause the valves to leak maybe? I still haven't been able to pull everything apart to try to measure and figure out what to do about all the play. its starting to look like I might need new push rods or different thickness shims:mad: ...I'm going to try to run a compression check on it, to make sure the head gasket is all good and that the valves are still closing all the way, and I'm going to try to get off early so I can hit the ford dealer and get a new tv grommet or whatever its called. Its also skipping alittle, so I timed it correctly, but it seems like I might have one or two wires off or bad spark plugs from running it with the timing off. Oh well. Its only a matter of time.On the plus side, the v-6 tranny seems to be okay so far, and I got it into 3rd gear with some wire holding on the tv rod. Quote Selected
top end troubles Reply #1 – July 16, 2008, 03:05:32 AM well, I pulled it all apart, and it looks like I have exactly .0300 or an inch too much push rod. After the spacers on the rockers (Or shim kitm whatever) are torqued down they get alittle bit taller and are bent in kinda a U shape. I tried swapping out to only the thicker shims, and ended up with a motor that would barely run, and with the thick and thin, it runs fine, but has way too much play. I need to custom make a spacer somewhere in the middle I think. We use stainless steel straps at my work, and they seem alittle bit thinner then the thin shims, so I'm gonna try measuring them and then if they fit, I'm going to punch a hole in em and throw em under the thin shim. I can't figure out a good way to measure how much slack I actually have.I'm pretty sure my lack of power is either incorrect timing, or a couple of bad spark plugs. I think it has very little to do with the top end play at this point. I ran the car for about 20 hours overall trying to charge the battery when I first got it together, and the timing was way way off while I was doing that....After looking at it, it looks like my heads were shaved slightly, and I used a stock sized head gasket. That may be my whole problem, assuming they shaved down a pretty good chunk. I'm guessing that with the thin shims on there I must be going from one ext ream of what is exceptional to the other. Its getting old fast... Quote Selected
top end troubles Reply #2 – July 16, 2008, 06:34:52 AM What you're calling "too much play" is known as valve lash, .030 tight should be fine... It's the function of the hydraulic lifters to make up for small differences in valve train clearance, a lifter should have at least .100 of working range... It is possible the lifters are sludged to the point the hydraulic adj will not function... Set them approx .010-.015 tight, change oil and drive it a while... Quote Selected
top end troubles Reply #3 – July 16, 2008, 08:38:17 PM im working nights for the rest of the week, but i'll update this weekend. I think I found what I need to try to get it to .015 to .01. I didn't think much of the "valve lash", when I got it running, but decided to change back out to the .06 shims, and my top end clanking went away all together. I may have to go out and find a sides swiped car at the junk yard and pull the top end out of that. Right now though, I just need to get it running and out of my father in laws backyard. Quote Selected
top end troubles Reply #4 – August 12, 2008, 08:46:46 PM well I still cant get the stupid thing to work right. I have made my own shims of different sizes, and I just cant seem to get it right. I'm going to pull the bolts out and throw in some studs and use a lock nut on top of the rocker... Quote Selected
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