The Ford Barn - View Single Post - Is there a good chemical to quiet lifter in my '51 Lincoln flathead

rotorwrench · 03-03-2017, 02:28 PM

On the aircraft engines I work on, the parts have gotten very expensive over the years so some years ago we started using FAA-PMA aftermarket parts including lifter innards during overhauls. They didn't take long to start rattling during start and warm up. They would eventually quit but sometimes a person had to shut down and let it heat soak for a bit. Eventually there were several that wouldn't quit rattling. Learned a lesson on that. Use the OEM parts on tappet follower assemblies. I've changed enough lifters out on them and don't need to do that anymore but they are easier to get to than a 337 Lincoln. The problem is that it is very difficult to find out exactly which one is giving the trouble. A person just about has to take them all out in order to check them. Maybe it's time for a valve job.

I've also had hardened seats come loose and start pounding in the bores. It sounds just like a bad tappet. A sticking valve can make a tap sound if it is an exhaust valve. You can try the Rislone or what ever and maybe it will work and maybe not. If not, some good old fashioned elbow grease is going to have to do the job. If not the owner's, it will be some mechanics job as long as he knows the old flat motors and has the tools.

03-03-2017, 02:28 PM	#25
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,007	Re: Is there a good chemical to quiet lifter in my '51 Lincoln flathead On the aircraft engines I work on, the parts have gotten very expensive over the years so some years ago we started using FAA-PMA aftermarket parts including lifter innards during overhauls. They didn't take long to start rattling during start and warm up. They would eventually quit but sometimes a person had to shut down and let it heat soak for a bit. Eventually there were several that wouldn't quit rattling. Learned a lesson on that. Use the OEM parts on tappet follower assemblies. I've changed enough lifters out on them and don't need to do that anymore but they are easier to get to than a 337 Lincoln. The problem is that it is very difficult to find out exactly which one is giving the trouble. A person just about has to take them all out in order to check them. Maybe it's time for a valve job. I've also had hardened seats come loose and start pounding in the bores. It sounds just like a bad tappet. A sticking valve can make a tap sound if it is an exhaust valve. You can try the Rislone or what ever and maybe it will work and maybe not. If not, some good old fashioned elbow grease is going to have to do the job. If not the owner's, it will be some mechanics job as long as he knows the old flat motors and has the tools.