ratnin57

I have a 2000 Malibu with 3.1 V6 that I acquired with blown head gaskets. Engine ran when I pulled it into garage. I pulled heads and took to machine shop and they were warped. Machine shop says they milled 20 thousandths off heads. Car has 140,000 miles on it and I don't know if heads have been off or milled before. With engine reassembled and the pushrods long and short in the correct positions and tightening down the rocker arm bolts the valves open slightly and cause no compression. Im assuming the heads have been shaved enough to effect the valve lash and I'm unable to find shorter pushrods at auto parts store and rocker arms are not adjustable. I have a lot of money tied up in heads and gaskets and would like to hear any option that may be out there for this problem.

suzuki-guy

Valve lash adjusted right? Do pushrods spin?

ratnin57

Valves are not adjustable on a 2000 3.1 but I got it running guys. I pulled front valve cover and had someone crank engine and rocker arms were barely moving. I kept compression gauge in number one cylinder and after cranking engine for extended time the pressure came up to 30 lbs and engine finally fired up and then I got 60lbs and after running about 5 minutes it was up to 180 lbs. I have owned Chevrolets all my life and been working on cars for 40 years and I have never had one with all the lifters totally collapsed with no compression like this one. All is well as cooling fans are running and temperature is running normal sitting in front of garage. I want to thank you guys for your help and I'm thankful there are forums like this one.