Thread: V8. fortune spent, will not run right

What a coincidence , I just bought a 88 hi-line off Ebay for $866 , for the bodywork .
The owner had just spent $5000 on a new clutch, power steer pump and box , a water pump ,a Altenator , a radiator and list went on supported by the receipts from the half assed mechanics who did the work . He drove it home and it was a real dog , banging and clicking and only running on 5 cylinders. Does the rounds of the local Rover repairers and gets quoted another $4000 to "Fix" the engine (Cam, lifters , rocker gear ECU and MAF . So he decides to quit before it costs him anymore.
I Trailer it home , fit 2 new batteries clean up the earths m and start it up . Sure enough idled like a 4bd1 . and big knocking noises from PS bank. Whip out the plugs for a Wet and dry Comp check , everything 140 Plus except No 1 only 80. Rip covers off and find that the pushrod and belted its way up inside the rocker .Replace rocker and pushrod ,re-started , still idling rough , but absolutely no rattles,bangs or clunks, Check firing order and the clown has leads 3 and 5 reversed . Fix leads/cap and regap plugs , fire it up , smooth as !!
By the way , the cause of most rocker gear/valve/cam/lifter prem failures is usually a blockage of the crankcase ventilarion system . Once it blocks , it sludges up immediately and blocks supply to the rocker gear .Watch those breathers on the EFI model , its only a Tiny .030 hole .

Originally Posted by 400HPONGAS

banging and clicking and only running on 5 cylinders.<snip>
Sure enough idled like a 4bd1 .

5 cyl 4BD1, sounds like a weapon.