2000 3.1 No Compression after Heads Milled

[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.

[IsaacHayes]

If indeed you need shorter pushrods they can be had custom. www.Pushrods.net comes to mind. But I'll let the experts figure out if that is indeed your issue. I haven't messed with heads yet to know enough.

[55trucker]

I'm not an expert either on the 2nd gen pushrod engines (non adjustable rockers)...but are the lifters still pumped up (full of oil) and need to be collapsed so they can compensate for the machining to the head surface?

[ratnin57]

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.

[IsaacHayes]

You mean lifters totally full?

[ratnin57]

Yes lifters were empty not pumped up. I assumed that when I had no compression on a completely assembled engine that the valves were open because of milling heads. Engine was spinning over like it had no spark plugs in it and when I put gauge on it it read zero compression until I kept cranking it over about 10 minutes letting starter cool in between until it finally pumped up lifters enough to fire off engine at 30 lbs compression.

[IsaacHayes]

Something is still not right. The valves should be closing... Empty lifters would mean it wouldn't open the valves or not enough, not the opposite...