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MG MGB GT V8 Factory Originals Technical - Bad Lifter

HELP! Last night I went to check to see if the flapper valve on my Carter was working. So I opened the throttle quickly and watched. It works, but after the engine went back to idle, there was a loud tapping noise from the top of the pass. cyl. bank. Sounded like a bad lifter to me. At the same time, the idle became rough and there is a noticible miss as the engine is reved to 1000-2500 rpm. I shut it down and waited a few hours and started it again. The tapping noise is gone, but the miss remains.

Does this sound like a bad lifter? If so, what are my options? Can I pour something in the crankcase to pump the lifter up, or does this mean replacement? If it has to be replaced, where do I start? I'd like to get this fixed before Stowe (less than 4 weeks.)

Thanks for your help.

Allan
Allan

Hyd lifter? Marvel Mystery Oil might help (it's not like most magic engine elixors - it works).
Glenn

Can't edit...
As far as the miss, maybe a broken valve spring, or a stuck/bent valve. Might want to try a compression test.
Glenn

Allan, It's easy to pull the valve cover off to look for a broken rocker arm or spring.I have broken two rockers at different times.It ran as you describe.The little steel inserts break out of the tip.Just a thought. Mike
Mike Moor

Whatever you do I recommend you not change the lifter as this will often result in a round lobe on the cam. Better to have a persistent tap in an otherwise good running engine than a dead cylinder. Look for other problems first.
Jim
Jim Blackwood

Jim, why would a new lifter round off the cam lobe? The tapping noise is gone, but the miss remains-seems to be the foward cylinder on the pass side. Compression test is next. BTW its a stock Olds 215.

Allan
Allan

This thread was discussed between 23/08/2004 and 25/08/2004

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