Thread: What the CRAP did I do!!??!!

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I just put this 383 motor in my 78' malibu I dont to much about the specs of the motor other then it has a 520 lift cam. Well I got it all bolted up and ready and it ran great. But when I held the throttle in around 2500-3000 rpms it was popping threw the headers. Well the guy told me that he put the cam in himself so I tought maybe he had a lifter too tight. So I went back threw and re-adjusted them NOW the motor sounds like it has zero compression. I have adjusted valves many times and have ever seen anything like this. It really sounds like all the spark plugs are not it. Now my question is what if its a solid lift cam? Im at a total loss, I have read many threads have yet to find anything that could help.

Readjust all the valves with a feeler guage to .020 clearance. If the engine starts and runs, contact the guy you got it from and get the cam specs and find out if it's a solid lifter and what the correct clearance should be.

Most important, don't PANIC!

Well I just went out and unloosend all the rockers 2 full turns and it started and ran. Now I may have skipped a step when adjusting the rockers I dont think I loosend them all 2 full turns before adjusting. Could this be the problem? I can not get in contact with they guy i got the motor from. Is there any other easy way to tell if its a solid lift?

If it's a hydrolic cam, one at a time loosen the rocker nut till it just starts to rattle THAN tighten it down 3/4 to 1 turn to be on the safe side. You can also adjust the cam without engine running, less of a mess! Go to the Crane, Comp Cams, web on how to set lifters with motor off. You really need to find out which cam you have and best way would be to pull timing cover and look on end of cam and hope it's there! You also will want to check for coil bind on valve springs. Lon

Let it sit overnight. Then next day GENTLY tap the pushrod end of the rocker arm with a hammer. If it gives it's hydraulic. If it doesn't, then most likely it's a solid lifter.

This isn't foolproof, but works in most cases.

Letting it sit drains the oil down and "relaxes" the valve train. Don't start the engine until AFTER you've done this or you'll put everything under pressure again.

Good luck

I got it. I guess I didnt loosen all the valves before I reset them. No more damn popping either. Thanks TO ALL!! I love this site!!! I usually dont have to make a thread I can find it threw a search!!!