12 sec GN runs 15+ qtr...WTF

[TryMeGT]

Please diregard my sarcasm, but this car has me at the end of my rope. I put a push rod through a rocker a few weeks ago, so I just changed both banks with Sealed Power ones from Postons along with 5/16" pushrods. Did the job correctly by starting at the left and proceeding LR LR LR, torqued them to 25ft/lbs in the saddles. Go to the track last night and the car is dead in the middle of the run, it just falls flat on it's face. Had 110 oct, 16-20lbs of boost. 02's were good, got knock the first run. Ran 15.79 @ 85mph, 16lbs 7.7` knock. 2nd run 15.2 at 86mph 18-19lbs no knock fell flat again in the middle. 3rd run 19.77 @ 78 (let off), no knock 20lbs. Launched ok with little boost but fell flat after 100'. Boost is there but car will not pull it just seems to die. My signature has my list of parts and I have always replaced parts with factory or better. It is not the valve springs, they have been changed with comp cam ones. Car was flat at 4500rpms when they were bad. This is a different power loss. What do I look for? Could I have done something incorrectly on the rocker arm assemblies. Car seemed to do this before the pushrod began ticking real bad and I pulled the valve cover and found the #3 intake through the rocker arm, Obviously the tick is gone now but this new and I have no idea where to start. I read all I can before I approach doing anything on this car, but I fix one problem to have a new one appear. If there is anyone in the AKRON, OH. area who has good knowledge about these cars, please contact me so we can hook up and maybe you can figure this POS out. I love the car but I am emabarassed to put it on the track and literally tarnish the reputation that these cars have earned. Any suggestions are welcome and if more info is needed I can provide that too.

 

[TurboDave]

Question is, what caused the tick, and subsequent failure in the first place.
My bet is, the cam lobe went flat and wearing that lifters base circle, and subsequently leaving that whole assembly with huge clearance issues allowing the push rod to bang the lifter instead of just pushing it, then the failure from the constant banging. Remove the valve cover, unplug the ecm's orange power wire (so the car wont start) and have someone crank the engine over while you watch that pushrod/rocker assembly.
Does it move as much as the others???? Betcha it doesn't.

 

[NCTURBOS]

In the Akron Ohio area is Frank Parvin. Call Red Armstrong and ask for his phone#. Tell them I sent you.

Keith

 

[TryMeGT]

Turbo Dave: I will pull the valve cover and check the lift.
NCTurbo: I know Frank and have Red's chip. Have spoken to them both. Frank just says it doesn't make sense. I will probably get in touch with him on this issue today or Tomorrow

 

[TryMeGT]

Turbo Dave:
Pulled the valve cover off. The #3 exhaust valve moves about 1/2 as much as 1 & 5. I know it is common for that lobe to wear. Time for a new cam. But on the other hand. It was #3 intake pushrod that went through the rocker arm. That one seems to move as much as the others though. Thanks for the suggestion