<VV> fixing a noisy lifter?

[Larry Forman]

Hi Ray,
All those items can be done at the same time or separated, since it does not matter at all.

For the lifter, make DARN sure you have enough oil in there.  You might just try some Marvel Mystery oil and see if it cleans things up and makes the lifter quiet.  I assume you have changed the oil recently.

You can take a mechanics stethoscope, which every Corvair owners should own, and place the probe right next to each spark plug hole as the engine idles to find which set of valve lifters is noisy.  Once you get it narrowed down, you might then try at the valve cover and see if you can determine either the intake or exhaust lifter.  You could also drill holes in a scrapped valve cover as detailed in the CORSA Tech Guide and listen by poking into each rocker as it is running.  You could also use about a three foot length of garden hose held to your ear if you don't have a mechanics stethoscope.

You can isolate the engine fan and idler bearings by disconnecting the fan belt and idling the engine for a short time to see if the noise is from one of those two bearings.  I know you said it might be the heater blower.  The shop manual is your best source for location of the heater blower.  For the 66's they are located pretty high and a little difficult to get out compared to an FC.

While you are there, spin the fan and see if it spins like a top, if so, it needs a LITTLE lubing from the special lube tool.  Watch out, since it is easy to blow out the bottom of the seal and then you need to replace the bearing.  There is very little lube required.  Once it spins slowly indicating enough grease, then stop for this time.  If you lube, spin until loose, lube more, sping until loose, etc. then you WILL blow out the lower seal.

Larry

-- Larry