Club 80-90 Forums

Lifters really should have been filled before refitting.

7 out of 8 were firm when I bolted the heads up. I did try to fill the 8th but couldn't compress enough to get the circlip in. Not sure what else I could have done.

You do need to hold the revs at 2k to get the tappet check valves working. They wont pump up otherwise.
Start at the start and resolve the oil pressure alarm.
You say it wont idle below 1000rpm and this is a persistant fault?

All change......I think the new oil pump wasn’t priming properly

After standing for 24 hours on the drive, I removed the plugs and span the engine again for a minute or so. I checked the oil buzzer wiring and all was OK. Then I started her up and she sounded quieter straight away, ran up to temp without any oil pressure alarm, so I took her for a road test and everything fine – normal power and no smoke. All-bar-one of the tappets has quietened down. Re-checked the timing and it was spot on.

I had lubricated the oil pump rotors and filled the filter with oil, but guess that wasn’t enough. Some people use Vaseline to help the pump prime so I’ll try that next time. Hopefully no lasting damage done – running OK after 40 miles.........

Phew, I bet you are relieved

That's great news, (and it's always nice to be right )
Even pre filling the filter, occasionally it can be difficult to get oil flow. Once or twice I have had to loosen the filter to bleed any air out. That sorts it pretty quickly!
BTW Hope it isn't a GSF oil pump. I bought one once and never fitted it - shocking quality when placed next to a branded one. Alarm bells rang when it came in an unmarked brown box!

Yes, big relief. Thanks for everyone's suggestions