68 Nova 307 lifter problems

GWILLEY

MEMBER
1968 CHEVROLET NOVA

I have a 68 chevy nova with a 307 and it has about 73,000 miles currently. My car wouln't start so I had it towed to a mechanics shop he said it was the timing chain so I had it replaced but know the lifter are making a horible clattering noise as if they are way loose. Do u think that the lifters need to be replaced or just adjusted or worst case the lifters and cam? They only modification to the cars is headers and after market 2.5" exhaust. Thanks for any helpGreg

1 Reply

ED ARMES

MECHANIC
129 POSTS

While changing the timing chain 2 things may have happened. He may have dropped gasket material into the front of the oil pan that was open when the front cover was removed while scraping off the old gasket. This material may be partially plugging the oil pickup and reduceing oil flow. Also possible; there are oil galleys drilled along the camshaft that feed oil to the lifters. They are plugged at the factory with a small cup plug. Since they are behind the cam gear, it is possible that while prying off the cam gear that he damaged one of the plugs and is losing oil pressure to the lifter galleys. ( I have seen this happen before ). :D