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56D500boy

Posted 2026-09-28 3:20 AM (#644454)
Subject: Gen 1 Hemi question: How splashy will it be with a valve cover off?

Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 11221
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Location: Lower Mainland BC

With the engine running for a few minutes, that is. Not running, not splashy. Running, not so not.

In an on going lifter "saga", I have one hydraulic lifter in my 56 Dodge 315 double-rocker ("hemi") that either has died (again) OR
I didn't adjust it properly back in April (this year). I thought I had adjusted them okay and I thought that they were all "fine"
(enough) when I started the engine *BUT* shortly thereafter, one lifter (I think) decided to be annoyingly "ticky", even after warm-up.

I think I have tracked it down to the left bank (using an automotive stethoscope) but I am not sure which cylinder. As a result, I will need
to run the engine with the valve cover off for a few minutes while I probe the rocker arms with the stethoscope and pin-point the noisy
lifter. I presume that there will be some oil splashing but I am not sure exactly how much.

In my head, I have "designed" cardboard splash shields that would attach to the edges of the head where the valve cover gasket sits, using
the upper valve cover studs on the top edge and short pieces of 10-24 threaded rod that I have used before to align the valve cover gasket
before attaching the valve cover.

So, bottomline how much splashing should I expect?

(BTW: I am currently in France but my brain wants to get back to my 56)

REFERENCE THREAD:

http://www.forwardlook.net/forums/forums/thread-view.asp?tid=80645&...

wizard

Posted 2026-09-28 6:18 AM (#644455 - in reply to #644454)
Subject: Re: Gen 1 Hemi question: How splashy will it be with a valve cover off?

Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 13213
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Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island

The Mopar 383 doesn’t squirt very much, more like slow flow at idle. I don’t think the Hemingway is so different. Chevrolet small blocks do squirt much more, so there are clips for the rocker arms that can be bought. I use a cut up valve cover for those….

56D500boy

Posted 2026-09-28 12:18 PM (#644456 - in reply to #644455)
Subject: Re: Gen 1 Hemi question: How splashy will it be with a valve cover off?

Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 11221
5000

Location: Lower Mainland BC

.
Thanks Sven. Looks like I shouldn't get too concerned, based on your comments, and this
video I just found:

1955 331 Hemi Run Stand No Valve Covers

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0Z3vzIInoE

Edited by 56D500boy 2026-09-28 3:47 PM

PA55CRL

Posted 2026-10-04 7:38 PM (#644491 - in reply to #644454)
Subject: RE: Gen 1 Hemi question: How splashy will it be with a valve cover off?

Member

Posts: 8

Sven is correct Dave. I just had to remove the valve covers on the 383 that I finally got started after the engine rebuild. Had a roller cam installed in it and the rockers were hitting the baffle under the PCV valve on the RH side. We pulled the covers and ran the engine just to confirm we were getting good flow to the rockers and the lifters were pumped up. I just cut a piece of cardboard and laid under the bottom edge of the head. Very little if any splash at idle. Hope you get your lifter issue figured out. You've been fighting that for a while!

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