Martin Pichette

Hi,

Last month i rebuilt a 440 in my Challenger to stroker 493 using Edelbrock top end kit with hydraulic flat tappet cam, rpm heads and intake roller, rocker arm...

Engine was running great with good oil pressure until i worn a cam lobe even with all break in procedure precautions, zinc additive etc.

Good thing no damage to the engine since i clean everything and rods and crank bearing are untouched.

I then decided to swap to roller cam using all Comp cam components; XR280HR cam, pro magnum roller lifters #8921, double timing chain and sprocket and replace Eddy springs with cam matched Beehive comp cam springs.

When priming engine with drill before start up, oil pressure was good showing half way on the dash gauge and oil was getting to rocker arms.

I started engine yesterday and engine was running great i did not notice oil pressure at that time since i though everything was fine.

After maybe 15 minutes i noticed there was no oil pressure on the gauge so i switch it off.

I decided to prime it with drill to see if problem was from bottom end but pressure was great showing half way up on gauge and lubricating rocker arms.

i start it again but still no pressure and no oil to valve train.

This morning I removed valve cover and there was a broken stud (driver side second one from rear of engine). Could this be related or just another problem?

I'm really confused and need help!

Thank you

Martin Pichette

**update**

i removed the valve cover on passenger side and found that one pushrod was off the rocker and the lifter... just standing there!

I now realize what's happening: when engine is running, the lifter with no pressure on it would go too high in the bore with only the link bar to retain it from going out of the bore. Since lifter is too high, oil goes out and no pressure.

when i was priming the lifter would back down and pressure was ok!!

I now have to understand why this happened since Im sure preload was ok on all lifters.

Iowan

Did you check valve to piston clearance with new cam????

TVLynn

I did that once with a Torino maybe 35 years ago, 400 motor lost a rocker arm but I was 50 miles from home & just drove it easy with no ill effects