I recently replaced the head gasket on my 1954 chevy 235. I was adjusting the solid lifters and noticed that my number 6 intake lifter pushes down like the solid lifter is collapsing it pops back up though when I'm not pushing on it. one other lifter did the same but not as much downward play. Is this a sign of a bad lifter? The engine runs but I cant get a good adjustment on the two lifters. Anyone had a solid lifter do this on a 235 ? Any insight is welcomed.
'54 235 still used the one piece "milkcan" lifter. Sounds like you have the wrong lifters, possibly hydraulic if you can compress them.
Many years ago I found a truck that had a mix of lifters like that. It seemed to run OK if you adjusted the lifters as you would for solid on the solids and for hydraulic on the hydraulics.
I've had the car since 2005 and drive it regularly. I've rebuilt the engine once the lifters all looked solid
I remember them looking like that I'll and pull the valve cover tomorrow and double check the lifters on the last cylinder
You need to pull the two offending valve lifters out. pop the side cover off with the valve cover off and see what’s going on. a solid lifter is just that ……. Solid ! Should not have any bounce or give to it. no clue what, but something strange is going on. Look at the lifter, pushrod , rocket, valve etc . maybe you got your sandwich between your hand and the valve and that was the squish you where feeling ? maube some pics of what your looking at