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Lifter or ???

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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 08:01 AM
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Default Lifter or ???

Yesterday morning I started my 04 Ultra to go to work. It was making a clattering noise when I started it. Wasn't real bad so I gently headed on out to work after it warmed up a bit. After a couple of miles the noise went away. Now, every time I start it, it makes the noise but, goes away after a couple of miles. I'm inclined to think I have a bad lifter but, not sure. I do have adjustable push rods so, I will be checking them to make sure one hasn't loosened up but, I don't think the noise would go away if that was the case. Any way to know for sure if I have a bad lifter? Thanks
 
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 09:11 AM
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It's a lifter, replacing them best course of action. Cheapest to avoid lifter failure

If it was a loose pushrod it would not go away when warm

Several good options for lifters.

Avoid HD lifters as they have proven to be unreliable
 
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 09:47 AM
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Any particular lifter recommended???
 
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 10:09 AM
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Comp cams 850-1 are good and very cheap lifters many use.
Prob get all 4 for less than 60-70 bucks.
 

Last edited by lp; Mar 22, 2016 at 12:01 PM.
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 10:54 AM
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S&S standard lifters are about as good as it gets.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 02:41 PM
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S&S lifters are good quality.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 04:20 PM
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Gatermans makes a very good lifter as well.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 04:32 PM
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Originally Posted by Pothole914
Any particular lifter recommended???
 
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 04:34 PM
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Originally Posted by lp
Comp cams 850-1 are good and very cheap lifters many use.
Prob get all 4 for less than 60-70 bucks.
 
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Old Mar 22, 2016 | 04:46 PM
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I'll probably take a beating for this, but put some Seafoam in your oil.
Run it about 50 miles, then change the oil.
You WILL be surprised!
I had excellent results with 2 of my vehicles using it.
One was an older conversion van, sticky lifter, just as you described.
ONE treatment, and it never came back.
Second was a Yukon Denali, one of the lifters was so bad you could hear it clacking
all the time, so bad I was afraid to drive it. For over a year whenever I started it it sounded like crap, but would go away in 10 minutes or so. It eventually got worse and worse, but would always act up when started cold. ONE treatment, and it totally quieted down, and never came back again, ever.
I know a lot of folks thing this stuff is snake oil, but I have proof that it works.
On the Yukon, I was about to tear the thing down, it was that bad, clacking all the time for over a year.
When I added it, the lifter completely quited down within 5 minutes.
I was shocked!
Try it, it's cheap, and worth the try.
I did not use the spray that you spray into the intake, I used this, the one you put in the oil. I used 1/2 can, and ran it for 50 miles.
problem totally gone!

Amazon.com: Sea Foam SF-16 Motor Treatment - 16 oz.: Automotive Amazon.com: Sea Foam SF-16 Motor Treatment - 16 oz.: Automotive
 
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