Adjustable valve lifters

TomC750

TomC750

Senior Member
It would appear that the previous rebuilder which included a valve job was not too careful about the clearances. Vanpelt is out of them, and did not expect more. I did find some available from another supplier, $275! A bit frustrated at this point, hence my post.
 
TomC750 said:
It would appear that the previous rebuilder which included a valve job was not too careful about the clearances. Vanpelt is out of them, and did not expect more. I did find some available from another supplier, $275! A bit frustrated at this point, hence my post.
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So what are you asking or wanting?
How can we help?
 
ActionYobbo said:
I have a slightly used set listed for $100 in the swap meet. They are standard weight and were pulled during break in and swapped for a set of light weights. Standard weight are perfect for a street build but not good for high reving salt lakers
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Good to know. I wrote my note out of frustration, I still need to completely assemble and see where I stand. Your price is fair.
 
KiWinUS said:
So what are you asking or wanting?
How can we help?
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Poorly worded on my part, just trying to dig myself out of a hole I did not create. To my everlasting regret I let go of 6 flatheads in an auction prior to moving to TN. One was cracked from freezing up, several unknown condition and the others known good. After that I bought the one I am working on. It ran good but was tight. Oil pressure went south. It seems the beadblast grit was not cleaned out well, scoring the crank. I had the crank turned and cyls honed. The shop found the top of the block on one bank had some corrosion, so they decked it, making it necessary to remove the valves, which they mixed up.

I need to forge on, as the block has zero cracks or other flaws.
 
At one point I was doing some searching here on threads about adjustable lifters. In one search attempt wording I came up with 124 threads on Fordbarn on the sublect. Average number of posts on those 124 threads was 17. The majority were about the lifters not keeping their adjustment, followed by wear on the bottoms. Most of the problems involved new offshore products, but even the old hollow Johnsons will lose the interference fit of their screw thread with too many adjustments on them. I bought 2 sets of used Johnsons at swap meets and have been experimenting with jamb nuts and other cures.
 
GB SISSON said:
At one point I was doing some searching here on threads about adjustable lifters. In one search attempt wording I came up with 124 threads on Fordbarn on the sublect. Average number of posts on those 124 threads was 17. The majority were about the lifters not keeping their adjustment, followed by wear on the bottoms. Most of the problems involved new offshore products, but even the old hollow Johnsons will lose the interference fit of their screw thread with too many adjustments on them. I bought 2 sets of used Johnsons at swap meets and have been experimenting with jamb nuts and other cures.
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Simple cure for loose adjusters on original Johnsons is to screw the adjuster all the way in and place the lifter in a vise horizontally and give them a light squeeze and check. If still loose, a little harder squeeze. That should fix it.

I've never heard of original Johnson's having insufficient or incorrect hardness, but never assume never I guess.

There was a run of import lifters that were pure junk unfortunately.
 
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Tim Ayers said:
Simple cure for loose adjusters on original Johnsons is to screw the adjuster all the way in and place the lifter in a vise horizontally and give them a light squeeze and check. If still loose, a little harder squeeze. That should fix it.

I've never heard of original Johnson's having insufficient or incorrect hardness, but never assume never I guess.

There was a run of import lifters that were pure junk unfortunately.
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I pull the adjuster OUT of the lifter and squeeze it a bit. It has TWO sets of threads that are offset just a bit (that is what causes the interference fit and tightness). If you squeeze the adjuster, you tighten up the interference fit.

Different ways to skin the same cat
 
I also remove the bolt to squeeze it down in the vice. Something to note is one firm tug on the vice handle is usally enough. I did one that was quite loose at two good tugs and it was very hard to crank into the lifter and a few more turns of the wrench the lifter produced an audible click and cracked half way down. It was a good ol' Johnson too. So be careful.
 
Bored&Stroked said:
I pull the adjuster OUT of the lifter and squeeze it a bit. It has TWO sets of threads that are offset just a bit (that is what causes the interference fit and tightness). If you squeeze the adjuster, you tighten up the interference fit.

Different ways to skin the same cat
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Dale, I out today on a hike with the wife. At some point, she asked what was I thinking about, I said nothing. The reality is I was thinking that I think I posted the reverse of how to tighten up an adjustable lifter on Fordbarn. I'm not kidding.

Thanks for correcting my mistake.
 
tim ayers said:
dale, i out today on a hike with the wife. At some point, she asked what was i thinking about, i said nothing. The reality is i was thinking that i think i posted the reverse of how to tighten up an adjustable lifter on fordbarn. I'm not kidding.

Thanks for correcting my mistake.
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😂😂😂
 
Tim Ayers said:
Dale, I out today on a hike with the wife. At some point, she asked what was I thinking about, I said nothing. The reality is I was thinking that I think I posted the reverse of how to tighten up an adjustable lifter on Fordbarn. I'm not kidding.

Thanks for correcting my mistake.
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Too funny Tim . . . you're lucky she wasn't asking you something really important like:

"Honey . . . do you remember that time we bought ice cream at Shmoes???".

And of course, you'd have not heard a word because you were thinking about very important flathead lifter issues at the time . . . but as the flathead-fog cleared, you then might make the mistake of acting like you were listening to her and attempt a feeble reply (totally off-base of course) . . . and then spend the rest of the day in purgatory for your insensitive behavior. :D

There are things that are completely unexplainable to our loved ones . . . flathead valve adjusters would be very high on that list! :D:D:D
 
Bored&Stroked said:
Too funny Tim . . . you're lucky she wasn't asking you something really important like:

"Honey . . . do you remember that time we bought ice cream at Shmoes???".

And of course, you'd have not heard a word because you were thinking about very important flathead lifter issues at the time . . . but as the flathead-fog cleared, you then might make the mistake of acting like you were listening to her and attempt a feeble reply (totally off-base of course) . . . and then spend the rest of the day in purgatory for your insensitive behavior. :D

There are things that are completely unexplainable to our loved ones . . . flathead valve adjusters would be very high on that list! :D:D:D
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LOL. Exactly.
 
I am as bad if not worse. I blame my ADD. I go to bed thinking about this stuff, and guess what happens when I wake up...
 
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