CRCAIN Posted January 9, 2007 Share Posted January 9, 2007 All of you straight eight experts - when new, was the Buick straight eight a QUIET engine? My rebuilt 263 engine with hydraulic lifters runs beautifully but the lifters are very noisy. Almost the only items not replaced/rebuilt were the lifters and valve train (rocker arms) because the machine shop that rebuilt the engine assured me they were OK. They do quiet down some when the engine is fully warm but are still noisy. I can't imagine anyone buying a new 1950 Buick with this much lifter noise, especially when compared to my whisper quiet 1949 Packard that has not been rebuilt. I use premium grade 10-40 oil and change oil and filter q 6 months; total miles between changes at most 1500 miles. As already stated, the engine performs superbly - just noisy - Is there anything I can do to quiet the lifters? Thanks for your help.Charlie CainTexas1948 Buick with 1950 263 engine1949 Packard Super Eight1956 MGA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Old Guy Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 Are the lifters lashed properly? It may well be that they were lashed like they were solid lifters,because it is in a 48 and they did not have hydraulic lifters. . My 263 has MANY miles on it and is very quiet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest imported_JPIndusi Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 My 1953 Buick Special had a very quiet engine and it got quieter since I adjusted the valve lash asdescribed in the shop manual. The Dynaflow equipped cars had hydraulic lifters formost years. In some years the standard transmission used solid lifters. However, the OldGuy or perhaps others will know if all the 263 engines had hydraulic lifters regardless of the transmission.Also, in my experience, the older low compression flathead straight eights, such as on the Pontiacs and Packards, were quieter than overhead engines. Perhaps this is due to the fact that the valve train is down low in the block and not up high on the head with justa metal cover to lessen the normal rocker arm and pushrod sounds.Joe, BCA 33493 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron65 Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 I agree...you shouldn't be able to hear them in the car, and noise should be minimal under the hood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guffin Posted January 10, 2007 Share Posted January 10, 2007 I have a 263 engine in my 40-56s it is quiet although it has solid lifters. You can only hear a faint sound from the lifters.Jan Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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