[DeTomaso] Engine Oil Analysis / Willow Springs Update

[Dan Courtney]

Donny,

I cut up the oil filer and saw allot more of that gold sheen.
I also tested the fuel pumps and they seemed fine.
I don't see how to remove the roller lifters so I'm saving that for 
tomorrow, as well as bench testing the oil pump.
I wonder if it would hurt anything to crank the engine over with the 
pushrods and all removed? If I still hear a noise I know I'm pulling the 
block.

Dan

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Donny Williams" <donnylee at ccwebster.net>
To: "Dan Courtney" <dfcex at excaliburre.com>
Sent: Sunday, March 11, 2007 9:34 AM
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Engine Oil Analysis / Willow Springs Update


> Dan,
>
> You were out a bit on some of the lash settings, but I would agree nothing 
> more then just needing and adjustment.  And I would have expected some 
> decent lifter rattle as the way it was set up.  It troubles me a tiny bit 
> that the wrong throw rocker was on the one valve.  Your engine should run 
> a bit better with this corrected.  But my small fear possibilty here is, 
> if you have a monster roller cam (Not sure) 630 lift Plus.... you may not 
> have had proper clearance for that throw of a rocker (Valve to piston) on 
> the exhaust side.  Only your builder would know that.  I never got caught 
> up in this mix match on rockers myself.  My opinion, not that you want it, 
> is to simply buy the right cam to begin with and run a matched set of 
> rockers. But the Valve to Piston could be the reason your builder employed 
> the 1.5-1.6 ratio offset.   Don't let that freak you out just keep that in 
> mind. Others try to get more performance using this method on a cam they 
> should not have bought in the first place. (My opinion)   And try to 
> correct it with the offset.
>
> I recall I had fairly close Piston to Valve with a flat top Piston  at 
> 626/647 Lift.  In other words for me to go bigger I would have had to cut 
> the valve reliefs.   It does not sound like you have sunk any valves.  But 
> to check height you using anything you want to reference to all 15 others. 
> Your not trying to determine actual spring height, just checking to make 
> sure what you have is all the same, so no fancy tool is needed here.  Make 
> your self a reference and check the others the same way against a self 
> made template.
>
> As john pointed out, it will be critical to pull the Rollers and check and 
> make sure they spin free and roll smooth.   How many hours/Miles you got 
> on your rollers?  Solids really are worth replacing about every 4K Miles 
> to avoid anything going wrong with your lifters.  Becuase "IF" one lets go 
> it will  for sure take your engine with it.
>
> My vote on the what to do is pending right now on what you find in your 
> filter and inspecting your rollers lifters, ultamately I would reccommend 
> replacing them because you have it down this far at this point.  Mine is 
> due for a new set, I have roughy 4500 miles on mine.... Its insurance! 
> And its cheap maintenance compared to a new engine, or maintaining another 
> exotic type!  SO be happy to spend the money.
>
> My last question to you is how well was this engine runnning with the 
> noise? Was it missing and running rough?  Or you just had some noise and 
> it still ran great?   I am still not exactly sure what kind of noise you 
> might have been hearing.  Bottom noise is pretty easy to discern against 
> top end noise.
>
> As for sumps I am not experienced with them....So I cannot speak to what 
> they sound like when they start to go south.  As for the sheen in your oil 
> I still expect its highly likely is from the dizzy gear.  As for the small 
> peice of aluminum on the top it could be break in garbage, or something 
> more sinister.... When you open that filter, trust me you will know!
>
>
> Keep us posted Mister!
>
> Donny
>
> >