Go Back  Offshoreonly.com > Technical > Do It Yourself, Boating on a Budget
What causes a lifter tie bar to break >

What causes a lifter tie bar to break

Notices

What causes a lifter tie bar to break

Thread Tools
 
Old 10-03-2015, 12:59 PM
  #1  
Gold Member
Gold Member
Thread Starter
 
Sonic30ss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SWFL
Posts: 1,210
Received 132 Likes on 46 Posts
Default What causes a lifter tie bar to break

Just like it says
Trying to figure out what happened.

Found it
Intake body broke allowing bearings, wheel and axle out. Body grabbed cam spun and broke tie bar.
Tie bar hit oil splash shield snapped pin holding bar on exhaust lifter and that spun too....grrrrr

Last edited by Sonic30ss; 10-03-2015 at 02:33 PM. Reason: Figured it out
Sonic30ss is offline  
Old 10-03-2015, 06:12 PM
  #2  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Biggus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Naples, Maine
Posts: 6,304
Received 31 Likes on 24 Posts
Default

Weak valve springs. When the springs get weak, the lifter flys off the lobe, stressing the tie bar rivet until it eventually fails and lifter spins, roller skids on cam until roller gets loose....etc. Been there and learned the importance of checking valve spring pressures as parts of the maintenance program.
Biggus is offline  
Old 10-03-2015, 06:41 PM
  #3  
Registered
iTrader: (2)
 
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: bel air, md
Posts: 2,733
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Biggus
Weak valve springs. When the springs get weak, the lifter flys off the lobe, stressing the tie bar rivet until it eventually fails and lifter spins, roller skids on cam until roller gets loose....etc. Been there and learned the importance of checking valve spring pressures as parts of the maintenance program.
Why in the world would you routinely check the most stressed part of the engine? Isn't it more important to wax and polish the valve covers rather than check what's going on underneath them?
Black Baja is offline  
Old 10-03-2015, 08:56 PM
  #4  
Gold Member
Gold Member
Thread Starter
 
Sonic30ss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SWFL
Posts: 1,210
Received 132 Likes on 46 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Black Baja
Why in the world would you routinely check the most stressed part of the engine? Isn't it more important to wax and polish the valve covers rather than check what's going on underneath them?
Wouldn't expect a mild 80 hr+/-engine that's never seen 5k rpm to need valve springs. 😏
Sonic30ss is offline  
Old 10-04-2015, 07:25 AM
  #5  
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Biggus's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Naples, Maine
Posts: 6,304
Received 31 Likes on 24 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Sonic30ss
Wouldn't expect a mild 80 hr+/-engine that's never seen 5k rpm to need valve springs. ��
If it failed that soon, there's a good chance the springs were never up to the task from the start. There's a wealth of info here. Contact RM Builder (Bob Marada, Marine Kinetics) when it's time to buy the components. Bob will set you up with all matched valve train components so you don't have to go through this again. And his prices can't be beat.
Biggus is offline  
Old 10-04-2015, 07:48 AM
  #6  
SB
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: On A Dirt Floor
Posts: 13,546
Received 3,115 Likes on 1,402 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by Sonic30ss
Wouldn't expect a mild 80 hr+/-engine that's never seen 5k rpm to need valve springs. ��
I did some back tracking, you have stock 502MPI's ? I found a thread you where asking about upgrading 502MPI's to 540's ? Best of my knowledge, stock 502MPI's came with flat tappets at first, and then OEM GM dogbone roller lifters that don't use the tie bars.

So, what do you have ?
If aftermarket stuff, what spring pressures ? What cam ? What other valvetrain pieces ?
SB is offline  
Old 10-04-2015, 08:15 AM
  #7  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: taxachusetts
Posts: 3,093
Received 699 Likes on 353 Posts
Default

Originally Posted by SB
t
So, what do you have ?
If aftermarket stuff, what spring pressures ? What cam ? What other valvetrain pieces ?
beat me too it,,what lifters do you have?will help us figure it out.
sutphen 30 is offline  
Old 10-04-2015, 09:51 AM
  #8  
Gold Member
Gold Member
Thread Starter
 
Sonic30ss's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2002
Location: SWFL
Posts: 1,210
Received 132 Likes on 46 Posts
Default

First off they are 540" with Dart Iron Eagle 305 heads and 502 mpi intakes with reflashed ecms.
I did not build them so I do not have all the info on the builds.
The lifters are PBM, cam specs unknown until I pull timing cover, I need to get back with a spring tester to check pressure, but they are double springs with damper (Orange stripe on outer spring)
Crane 1.7 roller rockers with guide plates

My plan is to call Bob M to discuss valve train. IMO 80 hrs is unacceptable for valve train failure on such mild builds, not like they are 1200hp solid lifter beasts.

Last edited by Sonic30ss; 10-04-2015 at 10:49 AM.
Sonic30ss is offline  
Old 10-04-2015, 11:45 AM
  #9  
Registered
 
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: taxachusetts
Posts: 3,093
Received 699 Likes on 353 Posts
Default

lifters sound chinese and cam could have come from SB and my friend.
sutphen 30 is offline  
Old 10-04-2015, 11:58 AM
  #10  
SB
Registered
iTrader: (1)
 
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: On A Dirt Floor
Posts: 13,546
Received 3,115 Likes on 1,402 Posts
Default

LOL. Could be....maybe one of his roller buttons (he and his ex wife made in the garage) broke, the cam moved far, and a lobe caught a lifter.
SB is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service

Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.