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| | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 47 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 47 | The lifters in my 1955 235 Thriftmaster occassionally click for the first mile or two in the morning when I first start it up. My mechanic says we should try STP on the next oil change.
Is STP safe for my engine? Anyone use the stuff? How many qts does one use, and can I expect it to help?
Thanks. | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | Bart_dup1,
If your '55 Thriftmaster is a truck engine, shouldn't it have solid lifters? If this is true, oil viscosity or any oil additive will have zero bearing on your clicking sound.
The 'lash' you adjust into the valve train when you adjust the valves is intended to compensate for the growth of the components as they heat and expand. If the valves are adjusted properly they should make a slight noise when cold which should diminish as the engine warms up.
Even perfectly adjusted, the valve train should tend to make some noise as opposed to no noise.
STP will do nothing for your problem. It is time to adjust your valves and enjoy the ticking of the old 'bolt'.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 641 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 641 | you may have hydrolic lifters you need to find out for sure | | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 5,708 | If you have hydraulic lifters then STP would be the worst thing to put in your engine. You want a lighter oil for startup, one that travels faster and easier to the lifters to pump them up and quiet them.
A 10w-40 would be a good choice. My post above assumed a Thriftmaster was a solid lifter truck engine.
Stuart | | | | | Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: May 2006 Posts: 8,351 | Yes, a Thriftmaster is a truck engine, passenger would be a Blue Flame. Also, up to about mid '56, solid lifter and hydraulic lifter engines used different blocks, so a serial number verification might be in order to determine what engine it really is.
But like Stuart says, if it's solid lifter, it's supposed to be noisy. Not exessively noisy, which would indicate a need for maintaince, namely a valve adjustment.
Bill Burmeister
| | | | | Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 47 Wrench Fetcher | | Wrench Fetcher Joined: Aug 2004 Posts: 47 | Thanks guys...good advise.
Yes, the 1955 235 is a truck engine,it's in my '51 1/2 ton.
No, the noise isn't excessive, and it only lasts for a couple of miles until its warmed up. Then it doesn't happen again till the next morning, sometimes not for a few days.
I shall stay away from STP, and also leave well enough alone. It runs great since we put in a new fuel pump and cleaned the carburator of 50 years of gook accumulation last month.
I always appreciate the expertise from you guys, Thanks.
Bart | | |
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