Re: Help needed with stuck lifter in my 1929 348

Posted by Owen_Dyneto On 2012/11/5 9:33:02

Though it is possible to remove one set of rocker shaft/cam follower arms and rollers (which I believe will allow dropping a lifter out from below) without removing the head, it's a job best left to someone who has done it before though I see in your picture the retaining nuts have been removed so perhaps that's in progress? Generally, to remove the lifter (from above) you will have to remove the cylinder head and then the valve spring and valve above that lifter. That said, I'm not sure just what you mean by a compressed lifter, they are mechanical and not hydraulic so they don't have a "compressed" position, it's a solid shank of steel with an adjustable length which rides at the lower end on a hardened steel pad which is located on an arm with a pivot at one end (attached to the external rocker shaft) and a roller on the other which follows the camshaft. Earlier engines had stamped arms, later had forged and they are are interchangeable. It's not possible to have a stuck lifter in the lower position unless there is damage to the camshaft, follower arm, or roller and pin. I'd suggest starting by taking a good look at the construction of the valve train from a picture in the parts manual of any of the senior engines thru 1939, and they reevaluating what you see and letting us know. It's also nearly impossible to have a lifter stuck in the "up" position.

BTW, if you have a 626/633 you have a "320" engine, if a 640/645 it's a 384.