I pulled the engine out of my 82 T/A that I havent had but a couple of years so I could detail the engine and engine compartment. While I had it out I pulled off the heads to chech bore size, this engine I was told only had 2k miles on it when I bought it everything looks great but I didnt keep the lifters and rods in the order they came out is this going to be a problem at reassembly sure didnt want to buy a new set of lifters and rods.

 

I have done this a few times and had no problems. I know what it's like- things get dismantled and put down and get moved/knocked. Put it together and fire it up. Check the valve lash after a few miles.

Good luck.
Andy.

 

The reason to keep them in order is for the wear pattern...
.... since they are not in order anymore there is nothing you can do so just put them back in, the worst that will happen is faster wear on the missmatched ones

 

Flat tappet lifters actually have a slight crown on the bottom. If the lifter is now flat it will not run in on a different lobe. Put two lifters end to end. If they will not rock when held together replace them all. If any are actually slightly cupped shaped on the end you can replace the cam too. Even a low buck budget cam and lifter set is better than putting worn out junk back in the motor.

 

by rods do you mean the connecting rods? wondering because you are talking about pulling heads and then you mentioned rods which doesnt make much sense.. make sure you dont mix up connecting rods, the rod bearings and journals really wont like it too much, you can throw it back togather with mismatched rods but it wont last too long, I got a 350 block for free out of a car my friend bought, it had what sounded like multiple rod knocks after only 10k miles on a supposed rebuild, all that was done in this "rebuild" as far as i could tell was they replaced the main bearings without turning the crank, reused the rod bearings but carefully mismatched every single rod, and threw it back togather.. needless to say.. it didnt hold up very well.

 

I think he meant pushrods

 

oh duh, ok I need to stop reading posts half awake. haha

 

I thought he meant connecting rods also, i was like WTF.

 

i never keep them in order and never had a problem. any more i seldom reuse an old lifter or cam.