Rukee

This is very confusing. All the GTO valves should be adjustable. If, for whatever reason, the heads were changed and now it has non-adjustable valves, the only way the valves would keep getting loose would be if the press in rocker arm stud was pulling out of the head or the lifters are completly shot. But, I don`t know how you would have that style in your motor. Can you give the casting #s of the heads?

 

Rukee

I just had a conversation with the machine shop that does all my work and he verified that Pontiac did use some style heads like what you described. He also told me a way around your problem!
He advised to buy a set of poly lock rocker nuts like those from Mr. Gasket. They are the style with the allen locking screw in the center. They will not only pull down further on the rocker arm stud to remove the slack and stop the ticking, but also make your valves adjustable so you can set it up like described above.

69goat

Nice! I think I'll definitely convert them to nonadjustable, however that isn't quite the problem from what I can tell. Even being able to adjust them (I had an adjustable setup on that one while I waited for the correct nut to come in) it continued to deteriorate. I'd tighten again, it would deteriorate again. I'm 99% sure it is the hydraulic lifter. Any tips on pulling those?

wytnyt

if your able to pull this lifter out,,check to see if it is beveled due to wear ,,if so you may have got a tiny pin hole in the lifter causing it to lose its prime.
one other area to explore is since lifters are last to get oil,,its possible that you have low oil pressure thus causing the lifters to get insufficient oil to them.
even a clogged pushrod can cause this effect.
the complete valve system should be checked to determine its condition
hope this helps
also,,i also went with the poly locks as a way for adjustment but you also can just find slim locking bolts that will also work

wytnyt

i guess i should have read your entire post
best way ive found to remove lifters is of course with the proper tool that bites both sides of the lifter,,,however you can get the lifter out just enough to use a sharp pair of vice grips to do the job
the trick is to gradually pull it out while your moving it around to loosen up the crud that in between.
if you pull out too much at once,,it will tighten up on you and make it harder to get loose

Rukee

They make a special tool for pulling them, it has a jaw that opens into the top of the lifter and then uses like a slide hammer to pull them out. I just use a needle nose pliers and cut a small groove on the inside of the tip so I can hook the top lip of the lifter then just keep wiggling it up and down until it comes out. You`ll more then likely have to pull the intake and the lifter valley tray out to get the lifters out.
That was a great suggestion of looking for a worn lifter on the bottom side by wytnyt, I`ve seen them sooo bad you could use them for a cereal bowl. If the bottom of the lifter is worn that bad, you should probably replace the cam as well.