Time To Fix Truck

[Trafficflow]

Hello everybody I am new to the forum!! I have a 1998 GMC Sonoma with 130k miles. It has been real good to me and is in great condition accept for the tranny and a very noisy lifter. I want to fix both instead of taking on a bank note. Question: I want to fix the lifter first. I was told I could get them out with magnet. Tried last year when I had the valve covers of and they were stuck. Which direction does everybody think I thought I should take? Should I look under the head and see whats up before I sink money in the tranny?

[bradrhale]

taking off the head is not going to help you with the lifters none. if the truck has great compression, than i would not worry about that with only 130K miles. too much added work and everyone knows, if it aint broke, dont fix it. you may just have to finagle the lifter the best you can working it from different angles. it will eventually come out. of course if it is noisy, you might have the valve lash incorrect.

[mudseeker]

intake has to come off to remove the lifters, not gonna get them out with just the valve cover off. if you're gona replace one you might as well replace all 16, then you have to re-lash your valves.

[leolkfrm]

you can pull the back half thru the dizzy hole,

[Trafficflow]

Sorry I did not respond sooner.Had email notification off. I was wondering why there was no answer About the truck. I think I would rather pull the head to see what else is worn. It might take just as long to get the lifters out. This will be my first time. Any information links? What is the lash the valves you are talkling about.I would think that the dizzy hole is a cover

[mudseeker]

if you're going to pull the head, pull the intake too. you're asking for trouble if you don't. why even pull the head? a lifter tick has nothing to do with the head and pulling it will not tell you anything. if you think there is a problem, then do a compression test, it will tell you everything you need to know about the cylinder/valves/rings.

valve lash is where you take the slack out of the push rods and set a certian amount of pre-load to prevent noise and what not.



leo, were you a OBGYN in your last life? pulling lifters out of the dizzy hole? i'd pay to see that.

[Trafficflow]

I was under the impression that the hydraulic lifters could be the issue. I hear about the compression test. I had the the guy across the street who works on vehicles and the problem was down deeper. What am I missing?

[Trafficflow]

If I understand you pull the hydraulic lifters out with a magnet. How can I clean the resin that is built up preventing it from coming out?

[Crmzendrgone]

Yes a magnet works or a pick tool. But the intake has to come off. Well if you have gone far enough to pull the intake you'll want to probably change the oil so spray the heck out of them with brake clean, carb clean or even try Trans fluid then just have to work them until they come out. Most likely you have a weak magnet and the slight "suction" effect the oil has is to much for that magnet. OH and you'll want to change your oil of course.

[Trafficflow]

I am starting to get the picture. Why would have to remove the manifold for? I thought when I had it apart before I could get to all of them from the top with a tool. I thought that I would have to remove the manifold for the head removal only.Does the access plate give you room to get out the lifters? I appreciate all information so I am ready to start on this.