'95 Viper Head Gasket Repair

[scottmarston]

A mechanic friend and I changed the head gaskets, spare plugs, plug wires, fuel filter, and the high pressure power steering hose on my '95 Viper last weekend. It was actually pretty easy. When we got everything put back together, I toggled the key to 'ON' about 5-6 times to charge the fuel line since we replaced the filter. It turned over on the second try, but a tapping noise was heard coming from the passenger side of the motor. It seemed like it was either coming from one of the lifters or some exhaust leak. My buddy and I just abou **** a brick. I turned it off and he called another mechanic down for a second opinion. I started it back up and the noise was gone. I started it several more times and I couldn't replicate the sound. I took it out the next day and ran the **** out of it. It runs perfectly and the noise has never come back.

We concluded that it could have been an air lock in the fuel line? Wouldn't that cause no combustion and you'd only hear the valves or fuel injectors making some noise? Is there something else I should be worried about? Thoughts?

 

[Greg Good Cylinder Heads]

It was a lifter that just needed some oil pressure.

 

[scottmarston]

Well that's good news. I guess that makes sense too.

 

[Dan Aseere]

When I did the head gaskets on my 94 and started it up all the lifters clanged like I left a handful on bolts in the engine. Turned it off, call Chuck, said it takes a while for the lifters to pump up. All is well now.

 

[scottmarston]

Yeah, that's what mine sounded like. It was a horrible feeling until it went away. All is well now though.

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