264 Lifter Problem

**HarryT** · 07-18-2010, 08:58 AM

Yesterday, while returning from a show, the '55 264 engine in my 34 ford pickup started to make quite a loud noise which I believe to be a single lifter. The noise was loudest at highway speed (with oil pressure at 28-30 psi) and would subside as speed decreased. It would completly go away at idle. Since the noise is not present at idle I can't tell exactly where its coming from. When I rev the engine at idle everything sounds normal. The engine only has 300-400 miles on a fresh rebuild which included new lifters. I read where many lifters are made off shore now days and that there have been quit a number of problems with them. Has anyone experenced similar problems or have ideas on the cause? Also, is there a way to determine which lifter may be the problem? Thanks in advance for any help.

HarryT

**Straight Eight** · 07-18-2010, 11:08 AM

The engine was telling you it wanted to be in a Buick, that's all

**50 SUPER** · 07-18-2010, 02:24 PM

Hi Harry,
I had the same problem on my 263. It turned out to be a combination of things. Try to isolate the problem lifter and see if some gunk has lodged under the lifter ball.
In my case, this was not the problem as mine were new like yours. The issue was the push rods. Several were very slightly bent, so slight in fact that you could not tell by looking. I found the bad one by rolling it along a glass table. If it is bent at all, it will roll unevenly (kind of "gallops" along). Next make sure all of the pushrods are spotlessly clean inside. It took me several days to clean them. After soaking them in kerosene and then taking them to the local radiator shop for a dip in their hot tank AND then after scraping inside the pushrods with piano wire, they were ready to install.

I would also check the bore in which the offending lifter rides, it could be slightly "sticky" due to being slightly out of round or having a burr. A quick clean out with an abrasive pad will help.

One other thing, check your fuel pump, it can mimic a single bad lifter.

Good luck

David in Santa Cruz.