How to remove Lifters

I just finished building an engine. A valve lost a c clip. I took it apart fixed the valve. Ran the engine. Opened it up to adjust the valves. I think I have an adjustable lifter that is self adjusting. This would be the third time.
 
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I tried them adjustable lifters once and did't like them at all. I think I'd be tempted to take both heads off, take all the valves out, and put regular lifters in. I'm sure you hate that idea though!
 
The amount of work is ok, the money hurts, but the worst part is I do not know how to grind valves or have the tools.
 
All the tools you need are a suction cup on the end of a stick, valve-grinding compounds, and a pair of hands.

Jack E/NJ
 
I know what you mean, I went through that problem too. You'd have to put the lifters in and then put all the valves in, wouldn't have to put the clips in though. Push the valves down good and measure the gap. .013 -.014 if I remember right. If you're lucky a few will be good.You might be able to switch some to get a few more good ones. Then you'd have to mark the rest with the position and amount to be taken off and take them to a machine shop with a surface or valve grinder. Taking some off the botom increases the gap, taking some off the mating surface decreases the gap (naturally).
Maybe some of those adjustable lifters are better, the ones I had were just a fine thread bolt screwed into the top of a short lifter. I couldn't see how that would last long.
 
Joe KCMO said:
I just finished building an engine. A valve lost a c clip. I took it apart fixed the valve. Ran the engine. Opened it up to adjust the valves. I think I have an adjustable lifter that is self adjusting. This would be the third time.
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What I did was find the one that keeps backing off and unscrew the adjuster a little then upset the threads with a punch then redjusted it. I havent had anymore trouble with it .
 
Jack E/NJ said:
All the tools you need are a suction cup on the end of a stick, valve-grinding compounds, and a pair of hands.

Jack E/NJ
Click to expand...


Jack, how long would it take you to shorten 16 valves the correct length with a suction cup, stick and grinding compound? :D I'm an old man!
 
Ken/Alabama said:
What I did was find the one that keeps backing off and unscrew the adjuster a little then upset the threads with a punch then redjusted it. I havent had anymore trouble with it .
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What would be your definition of upset the threads. I tried with a flat face punch.
 
Jack E/NJ said:
All the tools you need are a suction cup on the end of a stick, valve-grinding compounds, and a pair of hands.

Jack E/NJ
Click to expand...

Jack,
You're talking about lapping the valves. He's talking about grinding the stems to the proper length for proper lash. Personally, I'd probably need an extra dozen or so valves to get it right. I'll stick with adjustable lifters any day!

The tight threads on self adjusters tends to loosen up every time you adjust them. Once the adjusters get loose, the only hope is to peen the threads or use permanent loc-tite on them, or replace the lifter completely.
 
In order to get the locktite to work right, I would think you'd have to take the adjusting screw out a ways - put the locktite on - and turn it back in. That would mean you have to measure the total length with a micrometer first so you can get it back to the right dimension.
I still like the original type, ol Henry had the right idea!
Does anyone know what the weight of those lifters are compared to a stock one?
 
If you are runnng a regrind then you may have the wrong type of adj lifters with the thin top. Correct adj lifters for regrind cams have thick hex heads which makes the overall possible adjustment loonger. Thin tops work fine for stock cams. Any adj lifter that the adj turns easily will back off, there should be a fair amount of resistance when turned.
 
jimTN said:
If you are runnng a regrind then you may have the wrong type of adj lifters with the thin top. Correct adj lifters for regrind cams have thick hex heads which makes the overall possible adjustment loonger. Thin tops work fine for stock cams. Any adj lifter that the adj turns easily will back off, there should be a fair amount of resistance when turned.
Click to expand...
I haven't seen any of those thick headed adjustable lifters for years. Does anyone still make them? They used to be in the napa book back in the 80's, Walt
 
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