Uh Oh... Valve spring replacement debacle

[Dan Pepper]

In the process of changing broken 2 valve springs ('66 L36 - am replacing all while I'm at it), I removed the rocker from #1 as first step in the procedure. I then slid the pushrod up through the guide, and then heard, "clink, ka-tink."

I looked through the oil passage on the head only to see the lifter's push rod seat retainer u-spring laying off to the side of the lifter, and no lifter push rod seat to be seen. Apparently the retainer was loose and the seat came out when I pulled the pushrod out. I recovered the retainer spring with a magnet, but I'm pretty positive from the sound I heard that the seat rolled into the oil pan.

Not remembering clearly how the oil drain holes are configured on the top of the cylinder case, is it possible that I did hear the seat hit the bottom of the oil pan? If not, what do I do now?

Also - IF the lifter seat is in the oil pan, do I have to pull the intake and replace the lifter(s)? or can I just replace the seat and retainer in place since it looks like I can get at it w/o removing the intake (I hope). Suggestions?

[George Poynter]

Re: Uh Oh... Valve spring replacement debacle

You will have the intake off during the valve job process (which you need & all valve springs), then you can properly address the lifter issue. Unless you are extreamly lucky the oil pan will have to come off to retrieve your missing parts.

[roy braatz]

Re: Uh Oh... Valve spring replacement debacle

Back in the old days on a big block if you could see a lifter throught the head that was bad , we used a magnet to lift it out throught the head and replaced it with a new one, not every one could be gotten to in this manner but if we were lucky. If the part fell into the pan ,I would just leave it there.

[Mike McKown]

Re: Uh Oh... Valve spring replacement debacle

I've pulled lifters out of a big block with a magnet as Roy describes. If it doesn't have gum on the bottom of it, it will come out. If the seat went in the pan, I don't see where it can hurt anything. If it didn't, I don't know.

I pulled a distributor once and dropped the bolt down the hole. From the sound, I was sure it landed in the pan. It just sounded like it hit sheet metal. When I fired it up (without searching for the bolt) I was given an opportunity to pull the camshaft out in two pieces. You pay your money and you take your chances.

I've always been one to try and save a buck so try Clem's advice and smack the valve and see it the leakage stops. If it doesn't and it was my engine, I would pull the head for a valve job. Go ahead and pull the pan and check bearing clearance while I'm at it.

[Jerry M.]

Re: Uh Oh... Valve spring replacement debacle

Dan, Don't take any chances with the missing lifter parts. Especially if you have an original engine. Go in and find them. I had a lifter come apart on me and ran a flexible magnet all through the lifter galley to find them. After not finding I thought they must be in the pan so what could it hurt? There's a screen on the pick up. Right? Unfortunately, about a week later, I was starting it up in the garage when the lifter seat, a very thin piece, found it's way through the seam of the screen at the tube and into my high volume oil pump. It locked the pump, sheared off the distibutor gears and the chunked the cam gears. Had this been at some high rpm I may have had some serious damage. Just bite the old bullet and take it apart if you want to save your engine. I've been there.

[Clem Z.]

FIND THE LIFTER SEAT !!!!!

the lifter seat is heavy enought to cause a problem because if it get caught in the rotating assy before it falls to the bottom of the oil pan LOOK OUT it could cause some very real and expensive damage. also you want to put the old lifter after you put it back together back on the orignal cam lobe so as to not cause any wear problems with the cam.