603 hydraulic lifters...short story
 

Since last fall, I began hearing a lifter start to tap, and only when it idled for more than a minute...give it a little gas, and it would go away.

Over the past winter, the little tap, it was just one lifter, easy to hear, the tap began to hang around a little more, and more and more, and last weekend it got real loud and there all the time. Everywhere I'd drive, I could hear it, especially when you got the window down and driving by a brick building, or metal hi way guard, you can hear the sound reflect off!

I have spare replacement lifters, and today decided to get brave and have at it.

I wondered which one it could be, so I pulled the valve cover off and listened very carefully and determined that it was the second lifter back from #1 which I think is the intake. I pulled all of the lifters out (used a magnet) and found the one I thought to be bad to be the one! I replaced it, and put it all back together.............success........engine back to normal!

For those who are not aware, there is a special sequence for cam removal. Method of procedure is listed in http://skinnerbox.steaky.org/Service/Library.html

How hard was this job? I need to do mine someday they are annoying.

I drove the car up on metal ramps first, it makes it easier! Saves my back at least!

Not long! I'll bet it didn't take all of an hour. It's easy, just turn the crank until it's at TDC, and the cam is lined up with it's mark, (get a print out of the bearing cap removal sequence) unscrew the chain tensioner, remove the chain sprocket (I used a cable tie so the chain stays put to the sprocket) then start the bearing cap removal sequence (takes about 10 minutes) make sure you don't mix them up, and lift out the cam.

I used a telescopic magnet to pull each lifter out, they just pull right out, and drop in a new one...........put it all back together the same way you took it apart, and start it up. It will tap for a few minutes until all the lifters are full of oil, usually by full warm-up, and the job is done. It's easier than you think, it just seems daunting, thats all! .....BB