I wont go so far as to say it is stuck as i am able to get it out with a pair of channel locks, ( tape on them to avoid hurting anything) i tried using 400 grit emery paper to make sure it wasnt just a build up on it, but alas it still wont drop nicely into its hole, I tried to put it in another hole and it slid in nicely!, doesnt seem like it would be a bent valve as interference happens as soon as it touches have to force it just to start it in the hole! also motor runs beautifully! only reason i am up in the head is i had a tick, (tappet 2 over from the sticky one has clearance of .018, all others were within range) but im concerned the sticky one inst giving me a correct reading!

anyone had this? whats my next step? do i need to pull head again??? oh compression is good too!!

Thanks in advance

 

Polish the lifter bore with some quality 3M or Carborundum 320 grit paper and use grease to hold the metal dust and remove then remove the grease with a paper towel.

 

AGree.

Polish the bore, and the outer face of the bucket.

Look at the inner surface of the cylinder head, near the head nuts. In the early days of the bucket guides coming loose in the head, a lot of people drilled a hole, threaded that hole and screwed in a grub screw so it pushed on the bucket guide, and held it down. Whilst some were successful, the amount or torque to hold a persistant guide caused them to distort, and thus jamming the bucket, as you have there. I have a S2 like that, and once I removed all the grubscrews, the buckets were a sweet slide fit, and a stake down kit did a better job of the guides.

If you no got holes and grub screws, forget what I said.

 

its the intake side, so no stakedown required! but i will def try to polish the bucket and see if i can get enough clearance! thanks guys!

 

Have you tried other tappets in that location ?

 

I have! issue is def the bucket!

 

MMMMM, I stake both sides. i have seen the RH side come loose.

 

stake down was done by the previous owner, I did purchase another set years ago, but was told by numerous people only the exhaust side needed it, and even then only the cars with cats required it due to the heat not moving away from head fast enough, , theoretically it makes sense, so i just left it well enough alone! anyhoo, being as it doesnthave the stake down grub screw anyways it wasnt the issue.
I was able to polish the bucket and get it to work!!! woohooo!!

 

Don't abrade the tappet, it's hardend steel and sand paper wont have affect it dimensionally anyway. Also to avoid getting any abrasive material in the oil holes. If it's not clean then polish it with a decarbonizer like brake clean or carburetor cleaner using a cloth. Focus on the bucket, its possible when the heads was bolted to the block it twisted enough to send the bucket out of round slightly. This would be more likely if it was one of the buckets more towards the center of the head. You could hone it with a small bore honer like this one.


Brake And Engine Cylinder Hone Set - Automotive Tools