429 restoration

[Matti Roth]

Hello, and thanks for adding to group!

I am restoring 1964 429 engine which I bought as dismantled. It is said to be smoking in driving and has been stored as parts for a year. It is most probably 65500 miles driven. Car was not driven for10 years.

The only damaged part found so far is the top of exhaust valve of cylinder #5. The top has been worn so much that the rocker has been pressing valve locks as well. Respective rocker is worn as well, much more than others. And exhaust rocker #6 is worn as well, and exhaust #8.
Then questions:
1. What damage could this cause? I can think that valve lift gets a bit smaller than it should, but so what?
2. Is that common for Cadillac 429 exhaust valves to worn from the top, especially cylinders #5 and #6? Maybe there is less oil.

This is my first V8 engine project. I have Shop manual. I plan to replace piston rings, all gaskets, nylon timing gear, some worn exhaust valves and rockers, and valve stem o-rings. Bearings, pistons and shafts are in good condition. 

Big thanks in advance!

[Matti Roth]

I removed radiator and AC condenser, and then it was possible to push from front and wiggle the transmission cooling pipes to their places.

Next: are all 3 wires to starter supposed to go via the bracket in exhaust manifold, or the big wire only? I try to make it as original as possible.

[Matti Roth]

Getting closer to break-in step by step. Small setback was to notice the radiator is leaking a bit. I decided to take it to radiator shop to get it re-cored and maintain the original outlook.

I tested that starter works fine. 

it is quite tight place to tighten the nuts of front engine mounts! Is there a trick for it? With  swivel socket? 

I am fighting in two frontiers because lifter replacement for 67 takes some time as well!

[Tony and Ginny 429]

The engine can be jacked up  just a bit ( an inch or so ) carefully with a 2x4 under the oil pan if that could help get to the bolts some 

Enjoy 

[Matti Roth]

Original radiator has now a new core and water stays well inside.

When priming the engine with drill the pressure goes quickly to 1,4 bar but starts to go down even when I continue rotating the oil pump. Some oil comes to heads and especially to the rocker in the middle. Others stay dry. Probably I should use the drill longer?. I guess no need to open the oil pump because clearly it works. It has new gears and a new spring in valve.

[Tony and Ginny 429]

Matti 

Be sure you have your rocker arms installed correctly 

A few new engine builders in the business have installed them incorrectly causing break in issues with a new engine ( nightmare ) 

Must be an easy thing to do for some reason 

Much good luck with your start up 

Keep us posted 

Enjoy 

[Matti Roth]

When priming the oil comes fast to oil pressure sensor hole, but when I connect the meter it shows max 1,5 or zero. I need to try with new meter. Only some of the rockers get oil, and same result if I rotate the engine by hand. But it is clear that oil comes to pressure sensor and to rockers, so I think priming is ok.

[Matti Roth]

I took a bit closer look to rockers and found out that the three new rockers which I have are equipped with an oil groove inside. With this groove oil is much easier to pushrod end of the rocker. The hole in original rocker never meets the hole in the rocker shaft, and oil is getting very slowly to ends of the rocker. Oil stays between the rocker andnthe shaft. That could be the reason for 429 lubrication problems. Probably I will update all rockers with improved design. You see the difference in photo below. Close to camera is new rocker with oil groove inside.

[Tony and Ginny 429]

Matti 

The new rocker arm looks like it has more meat on the valve end ( could be the photo ) and also  the additional oil grove 

Just be sure —you have the correct replacement parts due to the two differences

I do not know of any poor problem oiling issues regarding the rocker arm design  of the 390 - 429 engines 

These engines have an aircraft spec bullet proof quality built into them  
Just my experience living on this site as I do 

Enjoy 

[Matti Roth]

I replaced rest of the rockers to the version with oil groove inside. Now oil comes smoothly to top of each rocker.

[Tony and Ginny 429]

Matti

A very very interesting rocker design  upgrade you have come across in your engine rebuild 

Thank you for sharing —and letting the community know this rocker upgrade is available to anyone rebuilding there engines in the near future 

Better engine  lubrication — is always a Good Thing ! for engine performance and longevity 

Enjoy 

[Curtis Dover]

Also did you replace all original pushrod?

[Matti Roth]

I replaced only some of them. Those were corroded.