Lifter problems

[Anonymous]

I bought a 76 Mav with who knows how many miles on it. The engine seems pretty sound, except for a lifter, I believe #1 cylinder, going bad. Age seems to be a reality even in cars. (Parts failure). Anyhow, I did a search for oil suggestions, I found a post by danwagon that delt with oil. I changed from the oil from 10-30 to 20-50 and a can of STP. I drove the car about 200 miles today and had no lifter problems. I know the oil is a bandade to a part failure, I am starting to accumulate parts for my next 250. So, if I can get this one to last me another 6 to 12 months, the problem will be solved.

 

[JackFish]

Is it just a sticky lifter, what do you mean by going bad?
I'm not sure a 20-50 is a good idea for our engines, pretty thick.
There's heaps of oil info over on the forums at www.bobistheoilguy.com
http://theoildrop.server101.com/forums/ ... .php?Cat=0
Marvel Magic Mystery oil is a treatment that seems to be effective for freeing up lifters. It has solvent in it, which I don't think the STP has. I could be wrong.
If you have a sludged up engine, Auto-RX is a treatment that is worth checking out.
http://www.auto-rx.com/index.html

 

[Anonymous]

I'm not sure a 20-50 is a good idea for our engines, pretty thick.

20w is not a very thick oil for an older tech push rod motor--especially in hotter conditions. Remember these old motors run on oil and bushings more than bearings(roller or needle type). I ran a wedge Ford for 300,000 miles on 10w40 winter and 20w50 summer. It was starting to use a little oil and could have used a re-ring but the bearings were still good--50# oil press cold and 40 on a hot slow idle.

 

[Anonymous]

Thanks for the great information about oil/oil treatments.
Here's a description of the cars symptoms: I let the car warm up, no problem, then hit the highway. I drive about 40 miles one way to work. The speed's I go are between 60 and 65mph. After roughly 10 minutes at this speed, the engines starts rattling, lifter noise/valve train. (Yes, I took my rockers off and found that the valves need replacing. The tips are worn on most of the valves. I cleaned the rocker assy, no more sticking rocker arms). The engines starts loosing power, and when I stop for traffic the car is running on 5.25 cylinders. Then I get where I'm going and park. When I get back in the car, same scenario going home. I figured the 10-30 oil I was using is too thin for then worn parts in the engine. So I changed the oil to 20-50W and added a can of STP. This is the first engine I ever used STP in. Well, the problem is gone. The lifters stay pumped up enough to activate the valves. So do I think the STP had anything to do with the quieting of the lifters, maybe. It's like KAYRO syrup. All I'm trying to get out of this engine is 6 to 12 months. I am planning a new engine.
Ken