Probably answered my own question but a few weeks ago went out for a 60 min cruise, all ran great, drove it hard but not over 3500 rpm at shifts. Parked it in the garage.

Next morning fired it up and immediately heard a valve ticking. Shut it down and decided to change the oil even tho there was only about 1500 miles from a change the previous year (Royal Purple + ZDDP)

Fired it back up and heard a miss. Checked plugs wires etc but all firing, isolated it to the #4 cylinder (2nd on pass side).

Did a quick compression test got 90lb. (will do either leakdown or air test tonight or tomorrow nite). pulled the valve cover and poured a bit of seafoam on the valves and down the lifter pushrod. Next day pulled coil wire turned it over and all seemed to be moving fine.

I'm thinking (due to the ticking that is now stopped) a lifter or valve may have stuck, the ticking was it hitting the piston slightly and it became bent.

The air test will tell which one or leakdown the rings which I doubt it is (engine only has about 7500 miles on it tops) but it looks like the head comes off...

At my old house my garage was partially heated. Its been in my new shop for two "winters" and I heat it only when using it. This year I did notice the oil was a bit milky but after running it for 20 minutes it cleared right up. Ya think maybe some condensation built up and caused a sticky wicket? I was a bit long between winter startups....3-4 weeks sometimes...

Maybe use some oil additive before putting it up to keep the parts coated...??

Thoughts and [censored] kickings welcome, I'm pissed that through some of the best weather all year it has now sat

I hope its something simple. Check your rockers. I have seen them break out the bottom where the falcrom (sp) sits. Maybe a pushrod nut backed off. I hope it is not a lobe going bad on the cam. Keep us updated.

I would agree with the rockers as well. You have reliefs on your pistons right? Thought that would eliminate hitting the valves except in extreme case.

90 seems low. How did the others fair?

Milky oil not good. Bad for bearings. Try cheaper oil and change every 6 months. Clean cheap oil better than a "wet tuxedo"!

Talk to the boys on fgf goggle group as they are rebuilding and troubleshooting their engines more than here.

Good luck!

No vacation in OgoPogoLand this year. My buddy's inlaws from Detriot living in the beach house now. Move this summer took up all my time.

goggle group??

are they nearsighted??

I'll check rockers again but the appeared ok. I'm going to check compression again and air test see where it might be blowing out. Bugger

Most likely no problems with piston to valve clearance. Collapsed or lazy lifter would be my guess.

FirstGenFirebirds@googlegroups.com

Sounds like a guide may have moved causing it to stick.

Well just did a full compression test and they all check out to 185 psi almost all bang on. I did pull all the new plugs installed and the middle two cylinders on the passenger side are not fi.ring. Clean as when I put them in. The others have a light tan sheen. The timing light showed they were all firing but I guess another visual check,....this is odd

Ok. Now I feel like a true horses [censored]. Two plug wires switched. I do my plugs one at a time. Usually. But it happened. I'm cruising today. Effin A!

Glad it all worked out and was something simple. I'll bet a dollar you never do that again.

Or at least you will do a double-check!

No sh!t... just returned from a cruise to the beach....strong as ever! (bang head on workbench)

Give it a couple more smacks for me! It may not make you feel better, but it will make me feel a lot better.

Dave, at least you are not the only person on here who has done that with their Firebird. The other guy was sure that I he only changed one plug at a time too.

Ok I'm done flagelating. I promise to be more careful next Time!

this was a favorite trick on mechanic friends in the 60s...esp on 4 cylinder cras...switch two wires when they were at a party...come out ,start the car ,runs like cr%p...they check spark plugs ,make sure wires are on....LOL...drive home , next morning they find it....neat party trick...lol


dont eel bad many 'pros' have missed that...

LOL, I also did the same thing. Pulled the center wire if it was someone who desired a payback.