Changing a lifter prep

[Oldmactech]

During headgasket replacement found one lifter faulty -squishy. Ordered a lifter but don’t understand if there is a break in or preinstall procedure other than just sticking in the hole I took the bad one out of.

Thanks.

[e39_touring]

Since they're not roller lifters, maybe just put a little assembly lube on the wear surfaces?

[Oldmactech]

Does it need to be prefilled with oil or anything?


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[e39_touring]

When I used to do old small block chevy lifters, I'd soak them in oil. Probably wouldn't hurt to do the same here, but the important thing is the assembly lube so the wear surfaces mate together properly.

[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by Oldmactech

Does it need to be prefilled with oil or anything?

When I did mine last summer, I took all the lifters apart to clean them as best I reasonably could. Inspected, and reinstalled with a little oil on them. So nothing special to prefill, since I assumed anything like that would mostly leak out, and it would be difficult. Of course make sure everything moves easily.

Another general thing I did was to do all the head work, including cam R+R, lifters, cleaning valves, valve stem seals, etc. on my work bench, sitting down, carefully, well lit, etc. Things are a lot tougher in those critical areas if trying to do them with the head installed, leaning over the fender.

And also, are you using the rope through the spark plug hole trick to keep the valve from falling into the cylinder? Don't forget to have that issue covered somehow.

Good luck.

[Oldmactech]

The rope trick? Not familiar..


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[oldskewel]

Originally Posted by Oldmactech

The rope trick? Not familiar..

I don't remember what you will be needing to remove to get at whatever you need to get done, but if you need to remove the valve spring and the keepers, leaving a bare valve, you need a reliable way to prevent the valve from falling into the cylinder.

If you don't need to remove the springs, this is not a concern.

If doing the job with the head sitting on a workbench, there is no concern. But if the head is on the block it is something to worry about. One method is to pressurize the cylinder with compressed air through the spark plug hole, so air pressure keeps all 4 valves tight up against the head.

The rope trick involves putting a length of rope / thick string / bungee cord in through the spark plug hole while the piston is low. Then turn the crank to bring the piston back up high, and when the piston presses against the rope, the rope will press against the valves, preventing them from falling in.

[andrewwynn]

And as a bonus you can't drop the keeper in the cylinder!

[Oldmactech]

Thankfully only one lifter is squishy. Dont see a need to remove any keepers or springs. I’ll soak the new one in oil, hopefully the reinstall will be simple.


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