taller lifters?

M

motorhead748

Junior Member
Aout 10 years ago I built the 8ba for my 34 pick up. Its a 284" with 3-97`s & a L100 cam. It has been reliable and runs good for the most part'
The cam was ground on a core I sent to them and I bought a new set of adjustable lifters from speedway motors (possible mistake I know). With the cam being a smaller base circle the lifters have to be adjusted quite a ways out to achieve proper lash. This was only a problem once when one of the lifter adj screws messed up. I replaced it with another and all has been well since but I only drive it around here.
Im thinking of driving it to Bonneville this august, 1800 miles one way, and I wouldnt want any problems.
Is there a better or taller set of lifters out there I could change to?
 
Are you useing Chevy valves? They are .060 or so longer than the Ford valves. Another little trick that comes in handy that most people don't relisze. I don't use adjustable lifters, I butt grind. NOW,all ford lifters are 1.720 long BUT, the 52-53 EAB and all the Merc lifters are 1.750 long. Those 1.750 lifters come in handy if your valve is a little short. Walt
 
To answer your question, there were/are longer adjustable lifters. The body of the lifter is actually the same but the adjusting bolt can have a much taller head. The bolts in Red's lifters are, sort of, a compromise between the old "extra-tall" and the original height.

I don't know how much length you need but building up the stem length of each valve is worth thinking about since you would need them out for a lifter change. Of course, if that job is not one you can do on your own it might be cost prohibitive.
 
JWL, I know we use to be able to bye those thick headed ones, They use to be right in the parts books when I ran a couple machine shops. I doubt if you can bye them anymore. I've had a couple of sets welded up about 1/8in. on the stem and butt ground then. Walt
 
You can pick up some extra length on the valves by using some "lash-caps", have numerous build out with not a single issue to date.

If you find the issue during ***'y, where all the machining is pretty much done, the "lash-caps" easily solve the problem.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Comp Cams has #621-16's @ .080" thick and usually solve the problem but if shorter ones (overall length) are required Crower, #86121S @ .060" thick are also available.
 
Walt Dupont--Me. said:
Are you useing Chevy valves? They are .060 or so longer than the Ford valves. Another little trick that comes in handy that most people don't relisze. I don't use adjustable lifters, I butt grind. NOW,all ford lifters are 1.720 long BUT, the 52-53 EAB and all the Merc lifters are 1.750 long. Those 1.750 lifters come in handy if your valve is a little short. Walt
Click to expand...

Walt I'm glad to see you grind the valves with solid lifters. That's the only way I do my engines. Never any valve noise. 115,000 miles on my 39 and it still sounds like the day I first started it. Keep up the good work. G.M.
 
I have been using the L100 on a few builds and when using the adjustables and Manley Hi Flo valves I have sometimes needed to grind off some of the valve as they are to long. Seems to depend a lot on the core I send to Dave. The last one I did we needed to remove .070 from the valve as there was still lots of material remaining on the heel of the cam lobe. This placed the screw about half turned in. Longer valves may be easier and cheaper than doing the lifters.
 
The chevy valve comes in several lengths. The stock valve is about .060" longer than the Ford valve, but they also make a valve that's .100" longer than the stock Chevy valve.
I also recommend removing approximately 1/8 inch from the top of the lifter bore, to make adjusting easier.
 
I know I put all new valves and seats in it but I dont remember if they were "chevy" valves.
I had thought about lash caps and may give that a try.
Thanks all
 
One word of caution---removing lash caps can be a BIG problem. So, if you ever intend to remove the valves from the guides check for cap fitment. I have broken the end of titainium valves trying to remove lash caps. There have been special "pullers" designed for the job but using them in the valve chamber of a Flathead is almost impossible. Select caps which slip-on easily.
 
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