I need help determining which lifter is bad in my 4.0. I cannot run the engine as of right now, but i have the valve cover of and there isn't any noticeable movement in any of the push rods. Any methods to figure it out? I have two new lifters soaking in oil right now. But i need to figure out which one needs replaced before i pull the head.

 

So, you're cranking the engine and none of the pushrods are moving?

 

Why do you need to figure it out before you pull the head? You need to pull the head regardless and when you do change all six.

 

You have to have each cylinder on top dead center, compression stroke to see if the push rods are free to turn, which they should - but not sloppy. When the cylinder is at TDC compression there should be no free play in the rockers because of the zero lash feature of the lifter. If the lifter/push rod/rocker (and pivot) are serviceable there should be around .040 to .060" take-up (compression) in the lifter when the rocker capscrews are torqued down.

Remove all spark plugs, start with #1 cylinder, Have a helper hold their finger over the spark plug hole, and while turning the crankshaft clockwise by the crankshaft damper bolt the helper should feel air beng compressed in the cylinder (compression stroke), using a mirror turn the crank slowly to align the index mark on the damper with the zero (0) mark on the timing chain cover, check both rockers/puch rods. Move to the next cylinder in firing order (#5) and check them. Repeat for the other cylinders.

 

6?

 

picky, picky, picky

 

We gots to pick on our buddy from Joisey..............

 

Hmmm, what's six lifters among friends...Besides, its always better to replace them six at a time so you know if the issue was with the intake or exhaust...

 

Makes sense to me......................NOT!

 

Thanks for the help. I'm pretty sure i figured it out, i could not find any play in any of the push rods or rockers. But when i pulled the head i found that one of the lifters was stuck about a centimeter below where it should sitting. And i certainly did not want to replace them six at a time. I would rather not go through the process of pulling the head and replacing the head gasket twice. A family friend of mine is a mechanic and has rebuilt two of these exact motors and told me to just go ahead and replace all twelve, so did. But i was wondering if i should cote the bottom with and grease or lucus. Since I am not replacing the cam. I know its best to replace the cam with it but i do not have the money or time to get that into the motor. Plus i have never seen one of these motors have any issues with just replacing the lifters. And again thank you for your help.

 

Coat the bottom and sides of the lifters with Assembly Lube. Do not soak the lifters in oil or try to pump them up. They will pump up on their own.

Make sure the rockers are lubed at the pivots before assembly.

Be careful tightening down the rocker bridges. THey can be twisted if you crank down on them. Coat the under surface of the cap screws then gradually tighten them down to 21 ft. lbs. torque. It's a good idea to have each cylinder at TDC compression when tightening down the respective rocker cap screws (helps prevent bridge twisting).

 

Thank you. I will go pick up some assembly lube. I already soaked the lifters in oil but it's not going to hurt them to be soaked. Should I pour some oil down wear the lifters and push rods are?

 

I hope you didn't think I was serious...It was meant to be a joke...

 

I knew you weren't serious, and neither was I. LOL.

 

Are there any methods to go about breaking in new lifters, like not letting it idle for a little or something.