Hi Guys,

Lately I was loosing a decent amount of horsepower and I noticed some rocker ticking under the passanger side valve cover, found the strange one that was impossible to set up right; it clacked, it clicked, no matter how I tried to adjust it with the car idling. Then took of both rockers and found one pushrod sat higher than the other (both on base circle). So I took of the intake and look what I've found:

Pictures

As you can see, the lifter 'retainers' are missing and it has come apart.
I don't know how it happened... The car has no more than 500 miles since the cam swap, just a couple of passes.

These are the so called Comp 'R' series lifters, p/n CC-875-16. The cam is an XE 233/239 with .569/.577 lift, EX612 springs, and EX pushrods and stock, untouched LT1 heads.

The car was running pretty strong, it put down 342rwhp on a Mustang(!) dyno on Madwolf's base tune, I *think* it would be over 360 rwhp on a Dynojet.

Now I'm more worried about those lost top retainers...they're probably down there somewhere :blah:

I'm not gonna bash Comp or anyone, I think sh*t just happens.
Just wanted to let you know...

 

Whats the specs of the springs ??? Lifters are directly related to springs

 

Well, I can't tell you the specs of these springs right now, but it was in the cam package, people are running these springs with this cam and lifters.
It's a single coil spring, there's no way it can destroy a Comp 'R' lifter! Huge springs usually collapse lifters, but this one isn't collapsed, it's expanded

 

man that's a clean engine... and clean oil too..

 

Looks like another case of the c clips not being heat treated properly....



Bret

 

Between having a hard time adjusting Comp-R's, and the problems I've seen with them breaking, I don't know if I'd ever use them.

Dan

 

"Comp recommends 1/16 turn past zero lash with the Comp R's"
--Could this problem occur related to this???

 

I have MASSIVE double springed valve springs (came on the heads I got), but stock lifters... I've now got tons of oil burning in my clys (leaking in there somehow..) Do you guys think this could have something to do with my lifters collapsing due to the oversized springs? Could it possibly be related to this, or is this not something I should be worrying about?

What would the symptoms of a collapsed lifter be?

 

Why did you go with your stock lifters?? Didn't any one tell you this?? You said springs came with Heads.. Which heads have you got? AFR? and Which type?

 

When I was installing my NIB Comp Rs, I checked them over real close and found that four of them had the retainer clips not seated all the way. They only had half of the clip in the little lip that they seat in. I took a screw driver and pushed down on the clips until I heard them click into place. I called comp and told them about it and they didn't seem to surprised about it and just said that they would always advise to inspect even new parts prior to assembly. Anyways, that's my experience with the lifers so far. No problems as of yet and about 1500 miles on them.

 

Gah.. this is the first I've heard of there being a potential problem! I asked my gear head friends before putting the heads on, and they said it should be fine.

They're rebuilt stock heads, a friend of mine who used to own a firebird gave them to me (he had them rebuilt, but then never ended up rebuilding his engine). I'm not sure of all the specs, but they have titanium retainers, double spring valve springs, and one of my friends said "a rev kit," whatever that is..

So.. how screwed are my stock lifters right about now?

 

You definitely should change your lifters (its my opinion) not to comp R style ,but definitely should change..
875-16 is R style.. (may be too hard for your valvetrain) If can go with 850-16 comp hydrolic roller lifters I think you will be better.

 

Maybe I should start another thread for this.. but I'm wondering why not to Comp R style.. my springs are a lot bigger than the ones in the pictures on this thread (where the guy was using comp Rs)..

Also, still wondering.. could those springs + the stock lifters in any way be the source of my oil burning issues?

 

it could be.. You can go with R style ,but before you decide which one, you should know specs of your springs.. (pressure on seat,lift...) Then the choice will be much more healthy..

 

Thanks.. I guess I'll do a little more research this time around (doh!) Add this to the stupid things I've done list....