Mayt13

I was replacing my lifters and as I started to adjust my rocker bolts I realized I fist had to put on my retainer (spider clamp that holds the little restrictors that bind to lifters so that they roll correctly on the cam). Well I've been futzing with It for a while and can't seem to get it to cooperate. Neither haynes nor Chilton tell me the order it goes togeater. I havent had any luck trying to put the clamp on with the lifters in, do I need to remove them and put the clamp on first?

paulo57509

https://www.thirdgen.org/sbc-camshafts-primer

There's a photo there that might help.

Mayt13

Yeah I know what it is, but I'm having trouble getting it back on, idk If the spider and dog bones go on before or after the lifters. I assumed the lifters went in first but now I cant get the spider clamp around the dog bones, nor can I get the dog bones up over and on the lifters with the spider in place, its like the spider clamp is way too small. So my question is: did I just assemble it in the wrong order? Do I need to have the dig bones and spider clamps in place prior to installing the lifters? and if so what is a safe way to remove lifters, my old ones were thrashed so I just removed them with pliers.

TTOP350

iTrader: (8)

Install lifters, install dogbones, then set spider on top of the dog bones and bolt it down. (the spider doesnt wrap around the dog bone, it sets on top to hold them down on the block) then install pushrods and adjust rockers.
If you took it apart, take pictures, notes and pay attention or your going to have expensive problems.

Buy a factory service manual for your car from HELM.

paulo57509

This photo might answer your assembly questions.

As far as removing the lifters, try not to pry or grab them with pliers. You risk damaging the OD of the lifter body which is a bearing surface.

They do sell lifter removal tools:

http://www.tool-chest.ca/Products/Product_3172.aspx

Mayt13

ROFL Im an idiot. haha Idk what to say... yeah wow i feel stupid. I just was in a hurry when I pulled it apart.

lol ok well that makes my life a lot easyer. Thanks so much.