Nitro,
That's exactly what it sounds like. I talked to a mechanic buddy and he said the same thing, that the lifters probably aren't pumped up.
I have a leak at the lower front corner passenger side head bolt/gasket.
So, I get to take everything apart again.
I replaced two head bolts on that side. I used pioneer head bolts because ARP's weren't available. I made sure the chamfered part was flush with the block but the two new bolts ended up looking about 1/8 shorter than the original ARP's that were still in the block.
I know now that I should have changed them all. Hard lesson to learn. I didn't think that it would make a difference because they would all be torqued in 3 stages so it would work out.
Always, always, if you replace one, replace all of the head bolts.
Thanks for the collapsed lifter skinny, nitro. I'll check that after I have the pleasure of taking my heads off again.
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1988 GT Convertible
331 10:1 TW heads, GT-40 intake, MSD, TRW flattops, B Cam w/ 1.7's, MAC exhaust, 24's, 70 TB, 76 MAF, 3.73's, Pro 5.0, Koni's, Anderson PMS, Wideband 02, yatta, yatta...
One week with new motor, two speeding tickets...joy