MStuartk Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 First of all, I am not a mechanic. I recently acquired a 1955 Buick Special 2 door that had been sitting for about 17 years and it is appears to be in decent condition. After driving it around my community a little while, I suddenly started hearing what appeared to be ramped up lifter noise. Note: I had previously changed the oil and filter. After some research, one source told me that if I removed the valve covers I might possibly find that there is possible a bunch of gunk around the area of the lifters, and that this might be blocking the proper amount of oil that is needed for the engine. Yet, they also said that if I attempted to clean up this stuff, that I should also plan on dropping the oil pan and cleaning after cleaning the lifter area, but before running the engine. When I researched "removing the oil pan" I read that several other components also had to be removed to do this. I have removed oil pans before but the process only required me to just simply remove the oil pan. My immediate question is: is it possible to remove and clean the oil pan without removing a bunch of other things, as I am afraid that I some of the things mentioned that needs removing is above my knowledge base? Also, I would really appreciate any advice to the original issue of the possible causes of sudden lifter noise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
keiser31 Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 Check on YouTube. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MStuartk Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 I did search youtube, but could not find the answer to my questions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 What you are hearing may not be a lifter issue at all. It is likely sludge buildup in the oil pan clogging the oil pump pickup screen causing the pump to starve for oil. After just sitting for many years sludge forms. Just draining and changing the oil is not good enough. In my opinion cleaning the pan is cheap insurance. Oil starvation can destroy the bearings and just about everything else. Dropping the pan probably involves removing the crossover exhaust pipe and maybe the stabilizer bar. If you have the service manual, just follow the directions and you'll be OK. Gaskets are available through Bobs Automobilia and several other vendors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MStuartk Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 Thanks! I did view a video on things to do after removing the pan for cleaning and oil pump service was one of them. I will conduct some research on getting the pan off the car. Your response is much appreciated! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 Does the car have a real oil pressure gage or just an idiot light? If it has a pressure gage, does the pressuer drop on acceleration of the engine at any time? If it does, that pump screen is probably clogged. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MStuartk Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 It has the factory gauge. The entire car is still original. I have not drove it since I started hearing the noise, but when I was driving it, I think it did drop slightly with acceleration. Currently, when I start it up it is in the high position-all the way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 Initially having good idle speed pressure is typical since oil flow is low. On speed up, flow increases and as flow increases, if the screen is plugged, the pump will starve for oil with reduced flow and pressure. Also starving the lifters for oil. I would only test this without driving the car. Start it, let it run at idle until warm, always keeping track of oil pressure. When warm, accelerate the engine to about a good driving speed and hold it for a while. If pressure stays the same, good, you do not have a screen plug problem. Lifter noise is something else. However, if you do get any reduction in oil pressure, you do have a plugged oil pickup screen. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MStuartk Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 Thanks; I will try that. Also, I found this on youtube about removing the pan for a 1959 Buick Riverera. I think that most of this might apply to my pan removal with the exception of the crossover, in which is on mine. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MStuartk Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 Keiser31; I did locate a youtube video on a 1959 Buick. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DonMicheletti Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 Perfect. Just the crossover, as you mention. But that may be a bit of a PITA with rusted nuts and studs - go easily on those. Sometimes, the #1 crank throw may be in the way when you drop the pan and you'll have to rotate the crank to get clearance 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MStuartk Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 Thanks so much! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MStuartk Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 Also, DonMicheletti: I think it is very keen of you to actually suggest that the noise that I am hearing could be from oil starvation. Knowledge is very much golden! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MStuartk Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 This is a photo of the car. I took it about two weeks ago before I stopped driving it due to the noise 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JACK M Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 Nice looking car, I hope you get it figured out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MStuartk Posted October 18, 2022 Author Share Posted October 18, 2022 Thanks, a work in progress. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted October 18, 2022 Share Posted October 18, 2022 I own a 54 Special. Not much different when it comes to the engine. The only item that needs to be unbolted is the motor mounts. Have a floor jack to support the engine assembly and also lift the engine enough to clear the oil pump pick up and cross member. I supported mine with a jack under the transmission. Some support at the crank pulley. I'm not a fan of that. Others may use a engine hoist. It truly is not a difficult job. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MStuartk Posted October 19, 2022 Author Share Posted October 19, 2022 Thank you for the information. I plan to do it this weekend. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avgwarhawk Posted October 19, 2022 Share Posted October 19, 2022 Pictures. We like pictures. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluebeard & Rainbow Brite Posted June 21, 2023 Share Posted June 21, 2023 Hey there did you end up taking the oil pan off? If so was it very complicated? I am fellow 55 special owner Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LHurd Posted April 10 Share Posted April 10 Same here. Did this thread just die? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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