Volvo RWD 444-544 Forum

INDEX FOR 10/2025(CURRENT) INDEX FOR 1/2005 444-544 INDEX

[<<] [>>]

THREADED

THREADED EXPANDED

FLAT

PRINT ALL

MESSAGES IN THIS THREAD

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by MrV on Mon Aug 19 12:46 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

[RELATED]

I removed my valve lifters and most have a pitted pattern on the surface that rides the camshaft. I will attempt to post a picture here. Anybody seen this before?
dean

http://i1303.photobucket.com/albums/ag145/deanandcarolv/IMG_0452_zps7291b97a.jpg

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by Suppo176 on Wed Aug 21 19:49 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Mon Jan 13 13:39 CST 2014

[RELATED]

I agree with the "ZDDP" crowd. Did a lot of research in regards to what formulation of lubricating oil is best for us "Solid Lifter Types", and find that the old API service category SF formula oil contains the right blend of additives along the lines of Zinc and Phosphorus. It is still available at - of all places - WalMart! "Accel" brand and it is plainly marked "..for model years 1988 and earlier"

Apparently the reason that it was phased out is that the Zinc and Phosphorus do not play well with Catalytic Converters. Have been running it in my B18 for over 6 years now without problems.

Phil Turner
1965 PV544

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by Peetz on Mon Aug 19 13:55 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Thu Oct 9 10:18 CST 2014

[RELATED]

That type of wear is called "spalling". It's common as mentioned. It means the lifter is toast, and the cam it rides on is too probably.

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by volvo15 on Mon Aug 19 12:52 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 08:19 CST 2014

[RELATED]

Many many many times!!!!typical of old original lifters

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by planetman on Mon Aug 19 20:20 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:29 CST 2014

[RELATED]

What exact type and weight of oil are you using?

--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by twombo on Tue Aug 20 11:16 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Wed Oct 8 17:27 CST 2014

[RELATED]

My understanding is, most modern motor oils don't have sufficient zinc/phosporus (ZDP) for flat tappet cams. What is your take? I use Mobile 1, 10/40 because it has a a higher level of ZDP, but not excessively so. My reading says much is also bad. Like baby bear says... Just right!

mike

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by planetman on Tue Aug 20 16:39 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:29 CST 2014

[RELATED]

Until recently, I thought that it was a lot of BS. However we rebuilt an engine for a customer about 2 years ago with a new camshaft and all new lifters.

The customer insisted on using Mobil 1 and 3 months ago we had to change his camshaft and lifters due to excessive wear and we think this was due to a lack of sufficient quantity of zinc and phosphorus (ZDDP).

What I have read suggest that .11% to .13% is a suggested level of ZDDP for stock engines. Most Mobil 1 oils don't have that much, but there are a few that do. The customer was using Mobil 1 10W-30 and that has only .08% ZDDP.

--
Eric
Hi Performance Automotive Service (formerly OVO or Old Volvos Only)
Torrance, CA 90502

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by someone claiming to be 63pv on Fri Aug 30 16:42 CST 2013 [RELATED]

any advantage using ZDDP on a motor with 10 or 20 thousand?
running VV71 cam, double springs etc. have not noticed any trouble so far.

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by planetman on Fri Aug 30 21:21 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 09:29 CST 2014

[RELATED]

You only need to add ZDDP if the oil you are using does not have enough. So the question is, what oil are you using, brand and weight?

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by Phil S. on Tue Aug 20 17:15 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 13:18 CST 2014

[RELATED]

Valvoline All Fleet Plus or NAPA Fleet Performance Plus 15W-40 (which are identical products) both have 1300 ppm ZDDP. We had them tested by an oil analysis lab, along with many others that did not pass muster. No further additives needed.

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by Dakar09 on Wed Aug 21 06:54 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Thu Oct 23 22:23 CST 2014

[RELATED]

Why not run a "break in" oil after doing that work? I know it's expensive and has to be bought online (at least in my area it does), but for these flat tappet jammies, that would be my choice when I get my B18 built. Then I'd run the high zinc stuff like Valvoline Fleet. I did read that Castrol GTX has a decent zinc content for "off the shelf" oils, but I don't know how true that is.

oh yeah, Lucas makes a break in additive, too, but I know some people run screaming away from additives of any kind due to separation from the engine's oil.

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by MrV on Tue Aug 20 09:11 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 10:15 CST 2014

[RELATED]

Hard to say...I am tearing into this engine for the first time. I have actually never run it....it seems to have been recently rebuilt by the previous owner since there are 0.030 pistons in it and no discernible cylinder ridge. The piston to wall clearance is pretty close to spec but havent checked the bearing clearances yet.

The only issue i have run into so far are one broken piston ring and this spalling on the valve lifters. The camshaft "looks" fine. I have had a lobe wiped on another B18 many years ago but lifters on that one had very different wear pattern on these. Would you replace the camshaft in this one even it if visual inspection seems to suggest it's fine?

Dean

REPLY TO THIS MESSAGE

SAVE

pitted valve lifter 444-544

posted by derek uk on Wed Aug 21 06:24 CST 2013
Author: [PROFILE] [EVERY POST] [THREADS] [BEST POSTS]

[IGNORE ALL POSTS]

last visit: Fri Oct 24 12:33 CST 2014

[RELATED]

Fit new cam and lifters. Run in for 20 minutes at 2000 rpm on initial start up . Change oil. Refill with high zinc oil at least as good as Phil as suggested.

<< < > >>

Brickboard.com is not affiliated with nor sponsored by AB Volvo, Volvo Car Corporation, Volvo Cars of North America, Inc. or Ford Motor Company. Brickboard.com is a Volvo owner/enthusiast site, similar to a club, and does not intend to pose as an official Volvo site. The official Volvo site can be found here.