Okay, its actually my buddies car... Unknown engine specs (454)...

How do I determine if it has a hydraulic or solid cam, without pulling the intake?

Just wondering, because the sound coming from the valve covers seems a bit noisy... Wondering it maybe they are solids, or maybe just a few loose (or, gulp, cam going flat...).

I know I had an old engine builder that taught me to set the hydraulic lifter preload loose (snug to 1/8 turn after 'zero lash')...

Thanks

Without removing the intake,about the only way I could think of is this.

Bump the engine around till #1 exhaust valve just starts to open, like you were going to adjust that cyl's intake valve.

Then tighten the intake valve while watching the retainer and turning the intake pushrod between your fingers. When you can't easily turn the pushrod or the intake opens about .050-.075, STOP.

Leave it alone, and come back after a while and see if the lifter bled down. If it did, you'll be able to easily turn the pushrod between your fingers. That would mean it's hydraulic.

If, after a while, the pushrod is as tight as it was when you left it, it's a mechanical.

That's what I'd try.:)


Randy

Thanks Randy, makes sense...