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351 Cleveland stuck Lifter?
  • Stormin
    Posts: 17Hitchhiker
    Hi,

    I have a 351 Cleveland and it has just started to make a 'clicking' noise that increases as the RPM's increase. I am in the process of checking all of the valve clearances right now but am afraid that it could be a stuck lifter.



    Anyone have any advice on other things to check or how to unstick this lifter?



    thanks
  • Stormin
    Posts: 17Hitchhiker
    Update on the status of the 351. I have now checked all of the valve clearances and they are all perfect. So next I will be starting the engine and trying to pin point the exact location of the noise. could the noise be a broken spring?
  • Oldcar_MechanicOldcar_Mechanic
    Posts: 1,786Platinum Member
    I think you have the right idea now. Start getting into it and look at everything very carefully. Try using a sthascope to see if you can pin point the area. It's always possible that something very simple is the noise.



    Ron
  • Stormin
    Posts: 17Hitchhiker
    do you recommend running the engine with the valve covers off so I can see the springs?
  • Oldcar_MechanicOldcar_Mechanic
    Posts: 1,786Platinum Member
    Well, if you believe that is where the nosie is coming from, then yes. Be careful though because if you have good oil pressure you will end up with oil all over the place, including the exhaust manifold and that could start a fire.



    Of course I would think that you need to listen very close to be sure that the noise is coming from there first.



    Ron
  • Stormin
    Posts: 17Hitchhiker
    Yeah, glad i didn't leave the valve covers off that would have been stupid. Did some listening and found that most of the noise was coming from the front of the engine mostly around the AC compressor. I am going to remove one belt at a time and find out which one is causing the noise.
  • Oldcar_MechanicOldcar_Mechanic
    Posts: 1,786Platinum Member
    Smart move



    Ron
  • Stormin
    Posts: 17Hitchhiker
    So removing the belts did not provide any new information, but i did notice some errant sparks coming off of the harmonic balancer........help?
  • Oldcar_MechanicOldcar_Mechanic
    Posts: 1,786Platinum Member
    Something must be close enough to it to touch once in a while to make those sparks. Make sure a trans line of something is not rubbing.



    Ron
  • Stormin
    Posts: 17Hitchhiker
    upon closer inspection there is nothing touching or even near the balancer. i am really stumped by this and will be consulting a local engine specialist unless someone has another great plan