Custom350Z
Junior Member
2011 Ram 1500 5.7L - 228K Miles: I just completed the installation of an MDS Delete kit from Texas Speed, with stock cam and lifters, because of the known Hemi lifter issues. Mine had begun to eat the the cam lobes on 2 cylinders. As part of my rebuild, I replaced the the full timing set, oil pump, water pump, and heads with new valves and springs due to severe pitting.
I was an ASE Ford tech for 8 years back in the 90's. I have build performance cars and trucks of all types for 30 years, but this is my first Hemi (not that my question is Hemi specific actually).
The truck sat disassembled for nearly 2 months as life pulled me away from it. Anyway, I started the truck today after getting everything reassembled, it started fine, had 20 seconds of engine "rattle" until the oil made its way through the engine (oil pressure was great). But, I'm left with a pronounced tick, mostly on the drivers side. I started and stopped the truck a couple times with the longest run time being about 90 seconds. The tick never changed or diminished. I ended up pulling the drivers side valve cover off to see if possibly (and I triple checked the push rods being seated on the install) a push rod or two were out, but all were fine. What I noticed immediately was that only 2 of the rockers had pressurized (#1 exhaust, and #4 intake) the rest of the rockers were all still loose - lifters not pressurized. I checked the torque on the rocker shafts and it was good. There was very little oil visible on head.
So the question is, how long do we feel it would be safe to run the truck with this issue, to see if they will pump up? Lack of lubrication is a quick death to moving metal parts, yes.
I've been thinking through the entire rebuild, wondering about other possible scenarios, before pulling it all apart because there is no other option - looking for some input from other car/truck enthusiasts. Thanks everyone.
I was an ASE Ford tech for 8 years back in the 90's. I have build performance cars and trucks of all types for 30 years, but this is my first Hemi (not that my question is Hemi specific actually).
The truck sat disassembled for nearly 2 months as life pulled me away from it. Anyway, I started the truck today after getting everything reassembled, it started fine, had 20 seconds of engine "rattle" until the oil made its way through the engine (oil pressure was great). But, I'm left with a pronounced tick, mostly on the drivers side. I started and stopped the truck a couple times with the longest run time being about 90 seconds. The tick never changed or diminished. I ended up pulling the drivers side valve cover off to see if possibly (and I triple checked the push rods being seated on the install) a push rod or two were out, but all were fine. What I noticed immediately was that only 2 of the rockers had pressurized (#1 exhaust, and #4 intake) the rest of the rockers were all still loose - lifters not pressurized. I checked the torque on the rocker shafts and it was good. There was very little oil visible on head.
So the question is, how long do we feel it would be safe to run the truck with this issue, to see if they will pump up? Lack of lubrication is a quick death to moving metal parts, yes.
I've been thinking through the entire rebuild, wondering about other possible scenarios, before pulling it all apart because there is no other option - looking for some input from other car/truck enthusiasts. Thanks everyone.
