Adjustable Lifters

J

jeepguy1948

Well-known member
(2) Questions:

(1) Adjustable Lifters, Hollow or Solid?

(2) Is everybody selling the same lifters (the same manufacturers?)

Before anybody gets too excited using original, solid lifters is still on the table but I would like to have the answers to the 2 questions to consider as well. Thanks.
 
Most important is that if you are using a reground cam, you must have the thick headed lifters or the head will have to be unscrewed out too far to stay adjusted. I have several engines with lifters that are not solid that have held up just fine.
 
The factory had it right. Valve trains work best and last longest when they are light as possible.
The original STEEL lifters are the lightest stock lifters you can use. These are the ones with only 2 small holes in the side.

There are many reasons to NOT use adjustable lifters.
The hollow ones are heavy. (over twice of stock) The screws come loose.
The solid ones are even heavier, The screws come loose.
With modern made adjustables, the heat treat quality is not consistent.
In the past some adjustables came out with no taper on the face.

Some stores will tell you who made their lifters, some will not.
 
jimTN said:
Most important is that if you are using a reground cam, you must have the thick headed lifters or the head will have to be unscrewed out too far to stay adjusted. I have several engines with lifters that are not solid that have held up just fine.
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Kind of depends on the resulting base-circle of the cam and the length of the valves. If you run longer valves (like SBC length) - then the extra length makes up for the smaller base circle. Of course you need to setup your springs/retainers/shims for the proper spring pressure.
 
My hollow adjustables have been fine but I got them from a reputable supplier. It’s interesting that the v8 stock lifters are not adjustable, the 226 straight 6 are adjustable.

JB
 
If you have the ability and tools to adjust the originals they are fine. Had adjustables in my 8BA since 1986. Have never have had a problem.
 
4t8v8 said:
If you have the ability and tools to adjust the originals they are fine.
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That is correct.
I have always been an advocate of: If you are going to get into a hobby seriously, and by that I mean, actually do the required work and steps to make it happen, you need to get the required tools to do the job, be it cars, photography, electronics or home surgery.
Paying someone to do the work for you only makes you a better TV watcher.
 
Yea, I'll stick my 2 cents in here as well. I go back a ways when adj lifters costs 12.50 a setof 16 with wrenches, then one day I went in to buy a set and they cost 20 bucks and no wrenches, I said " pretty soon they'll be fiftu bucks a ser. little did i know.
Just remember the liftes were designed for stock valves. so the adjustment wasn't much, At first I didn't have the proper tools to do it the old way, so adjustables were the easy way out. But in 1957 I was married, had one kid and a 3rd floor apt @ 75 ucks a month/ My take home was 62.50 a week. so 12 bucks waz alot of money
Not sure, but I think Reds headers has the good ones, I have a few sets from JWL left.
Gramps
 
Ron, The last set I got from Red's had three of the sixteen that were dead soft. I am so glad I had the sense and means to check them prior to installing.
 
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