66 F250 352 FE Cam/lifter issue?
First off, I am starting a new project on a '66 F250 with the 352 FE, 63K miles that I just picked up. Trying to find an electrical gremlin next, but that might be another post. My first question for anyone who might know is this: I finally got the old girl running and she would only run with the choke fully closed, even after I rebuilt the carburetor. I figured that it had to be a carburetor adjustment issue. Then I noticed the knocking/tapping sound coupled with a backfire as I decelerated. That made me think stuck intake valve. I put a piece of paper over the exhaust and found that the vacuum was bad as it pushed out and pulled in. I pulled the valve covers and found that the rockers on one side were working just fine, but the ones on the other side were basically immobile. They just kind of tapped along, not fully engaging. Any thoughts on what could be the problem? Maybe the lifters? I don't know, it could be the camshaft. There is a rod that runs the length of the assembly that holds the rocker arms in place. None of the bolts on that were loose as I thought could be the problem. If I assume that it is a lifter issue and put a new cam in there, what would be the recommendation? Thank you.