Previous posts are all good.
One problem I have had with cars or engines that sat a long time is that
scuffing apparently happened on the cam on startup and a lobe wiped out on
the cam, usually exhaust. Resulted in limping at low speeds and backfiring
into the air intake at higher speeds. Diagnosis is to measure the valve lift
from the top surface of the head to the valve spring retainer both closed
and wide open. The difference between the two measurements should be 3/8"
or more for all valves. If any are different from the rest the cam is shot
and needs to be replaced, along with the lifters. Good lifters are available
from a guy who goes as "Friendly Fred" and sells on ebay almost always for
$5 each. They are Sealed Power #AT2071 (I think) and are otherwise pretty
hard to find. Although it has been disputed on this board my experience
with OEM lifters has been dismal. IPD has sold a lifter and pushrod kit but
last I heard they had trouble finding the small block Chevy solid lifters they
were using, which were like the ones mentioned above and thus required longer
pushrods. Wouldn't hurt to ask IPD, though. Their kit would be my first choice.
--
George Downs, The "original" Walrus3, Bartlesville, Oklahoma