Well I'm back... if anyone recalls I have a 454 that had eaten up some lifters. It's a PCM 454 in a 1988 Supra Saltare ski boat.
I pulled the engine and have it completely disassembled. I haven't found any evidence of oil starvation, and all of the cylinders and valves LOOK good. How can I test the valves? Do I need to just assume that the heads need to go to the machine shop before re-installation?
I didn't find any milky oil in the pan, and there is no evidence of oil starvation anywhere in the engine. This brings me back to the original problem... what caused the lifters to fail? I have received a recommendation from comp cams on a cam that they recommend ... another question is whether i need the whole kit they sell (Camshaft, Lifters, Matched Valve Springs, Valve Spring Retainers, Valve Locks, Valve Stem Seals, Timing Chain Set, Assembly Lube) or whether I can just get by with lifters + cam?
Since I have the engine out and disassembled I'm going to do the bearings on the bottom end, but I have no idea how -- does anyone have a web page or a write-up that explains the procedure?
Thanks for any help.
Rob