78 Trans Am Pumped Out Lifter Help

Thread view:

Enable EMail Alerts

Start New Thread

Thread rating:

r_hyman@hotmail.com - 03 Feb 2007 03:08 GMT

I am the original owner of a 1978 Trans-Am, W72 option, auto, garage
kept and it has 23,000 original miles on it. I have been so busy this
year that I have only taken it out 3 times for a spin. This last
time, I had a lifter pump out and tick like crazy. No damage but the
lifter ticking is coming & going.

What are my options? Some say just change the oil. Others say change
the oil and add a can of Marvel Mystery Oil. Some say add other
additives. Others say now that I have to change the lifters.

Anyone have a similar expereince & what did you do?

Thanks!

Reply to this Message

Scott Zabolotzky - 05 Feb 2007 15:13 GMT

>I am the original owner of a 1978 Trans-Am, W72 option, auto, garage
>kept and it has 23,000 original miles on it. I have been so busy this
>year that I have only taken it out 3 times for a spin. This last
>time, I had a lifter pump out and tick like crazy. No damage but the
>lifter ticking is coming & going.

>What are my options? Some say just change the oil. Others say change
>the oil and add a can of Marvel Mystery Oil. Some say add other
>additives. Others say now that I have to change the lifters.

>Anyone have a similar expereince & what did you do?

While I haven't personally had this problem I've heard of others having
great success with Seafoam (http://www.seafoamsales.com/). Just
follow the directions for putting it in the crank case.

Scott

Reply to this Message

Les Benn - 06 Feb 2007 04:55 GMT

if the mileage is that low I would either pull the valve covers off and
replace the lifter or put in some really good oil and drive it a couple
hundred miles to see if the lifter pumps back up then if it is still ticking
I would replace the lifters.

Lifters are cheap and so are valve cover gaskets. get a repair manual and a
good toque wrench and just fix it.

I would not add crap to an engine with those few miles if it was my car.

>>I am the original owner of a 1978 Trans-Am, W72 option, auto, garage
>>kept and it has 23,000 original miles on it. I have been so busy this
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
> Scott

Reply to this Message

Jay S - 06 Feb 2007 18:07 GMT

> if the mileage is that low I would either pull the valve covers off and
> replace the lifter or put in some really good oil and drive it a couple
[quoted text clipped - 5 lines]
>
> I would not add crap to an engine with those few miles if it was my car.

Do you know of some way of pulling the lifters out thru the head without
removing the intake and valley cover?

Jay S

Reply to this Message

Micah - 06 Feb 2007 21:03 GMT

I would go with the Marvel if the engine is clean inside and the lifter
hasn't collapsed . If you have sludge it is likely to break some free cause
problems. I would expect it is clean but I have to mention that just in
case. If that doesn't help try adjusting it. They didn't come adjustable but
you can place thin washer under the nut on the rocker arm to adjust it out.

>I am the original owner of a 1978 Trans-Am, W72 option, auto, garage
> kept and it has 23,000 original miles on it. I have been so busy this
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
>
> Thanks!

Reply to this Message