Lifter info

H

Harold Degand

Senior Member
Hi. I’m working on the valve train on a 239 french flat.

These are 8ba style, unadjustable hollow lifter.
My lifters measure between 1.71 and 1.72’’
The french valves are about 40 thou longer than US.

I lapped all the valves, now there is not enough lash. On some valves, there is less than 0.010’’

I could grind the stem or the lifter but I don’t have the tools to do that.
So I think about put adjustable lifters.

My question is how much measure adjustable lifter when the screw is fulled screwed ?
I need to be sure I’ll have enough lash before ordering new lifters.

Thanks for your help.
 
Harold the adjustable lifters are not only used for stock applications they are also used for reground stock cams that have been reground with a performance profile.
To get a higher lift using a stock cam the regrind process reduces the heal area of the cam lobe. This means the lifter drops lower into the lifter bore. To get the needed lifter height extension to adjust the stock length valves the adjustable lifter is obviously used. Since your valve length is only an additional .040 in length using adjustable lifters should work fine for what your doing.
Ronnieroadster
 
Thanks Ronnieroadster.

I’ve read on another thread, a member had problems with his lifter.
They were to long and the valves didn’t close.
I worry about if the screw is fully screwed and lifter are still to long for my valves.
 
It may look attractive after pricing adjustable lifters LOL. I cut a V notch in the plywood shown and used a small square to get the valve stem axis perpendicular to the wheel. This can be checked by marking the end of a junk valve and grinding. Everything needs to be clamped firmly of course and I sort of twirled the valve with my finger while pushing it against the stone. Good luck with however you decide to proceed. Ken
 
I have used a Harbor Freight 5" disc sander with a valve guide clamped to the table for this task with good results.
Wayno
 
I used a 60 grit wheel and the finish seemed similar to the new valves before grinding. Hopefully more experienced engine builders will weigh in. I ground enough off mine that I also had to re-chamfer them
 
Kem
Looks similar to the way I adjust my valves. When the price of adjustable lifters went from 12 bucks a set to 20. I said to the sales rep." Petty soon they'll be 50 bucks a set" Little did I know,
Gramps
 
I use stock lifters whenever possible; I'm concerned about the quality and "holding power" of the current adjustables. "Set 'em and forget 'em".

I got my last set from "Southside Obsolete".
 
whatever you do do not grind the lifter = grind the valve stem Use Kens setup and one nip at a time.....You can also bolt a 360 grit sand paper to the side of your grinder wheel.
so if you mess up, valves cheap at Napa....
 
Thanks you all.
I spent 4 hours yesterday to set the lash.
I have 0.012 on the intake, 0.013 on the exhaust.
I think I’ll go to 016
The most difficult is to find the right lash !
I spent hours trying to find. You can ask 20 guys, you’ll have 20 different answers.
 
Here's an interesting tidbit. I bought an unused Engle roller tappet cam and kit for the early hemi in my vintage dirt car. There were no specs with it. I called Engle and they said anything from .010" to .025. When I asked "Why the range?", they told me that valve lash can effect performance, and that varying it is one of the things experts do in the final stages of "Super-Tuning". Whether or not this applies to flat tappet cams, I have no idea.
 
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