should you presoak lifters? if so how what is best way?

 

lot of people do, myself included but i doubt it really does anything other than make me feel good for doing it, sort of like preoiling a new engine.

 

That's about it.... about all it does, is make them quit clattering sooner at initial startup.

It's more important to wash them in solvent, to get any dirt or remainig machining chips or whatever out of them.

 

...or the soluble rust preventive. It's possible to just put them in a shallow can of clean oil, plunge the lifter a couple times, and coat the exterior before assembly.

 

I always do, I heard this is how you prime them. I take a coffee can and a quart of whatever oil im gonna use and throw them in there for a day.

 

i never presoak the lifters.
i clean them, use assembly lube on them, put them in & set the lash. just before the motor goes in i always preoil the motor by filling it with oil, putting the filter on, have someone work the drill while i slowly turn the motor over by hand a minimum of 8 full crankshaft turns.
just before first startup i disable the ignition & spin it over with the starter for 10-15 seconds, re-enable the ignition & start it up. i have done around 75 small block chevys this way & i have never had any lifter noise, cam problems or needed to re-adjust the lifters.

 

Vader is correct that is the correct way to prepare new lifters. Not preparing them can result in some problems like bent pushrods. Pre-oiling the engine is a very good idea as well.

 

i know the lifters that i buy from my engine builder, if you soak them before install it voids the warrenty. I use hydraulic rollers. just a thought might want to check with manufacture.

 

What brand are those????

 

federal mogul i believe i can find out though if you really want to know.

 

Sure just for giggles, every hydraulic lifter I have come in contact with clearly states to pre-soak.

 

thats cool i'll find out sunday.

 

Melling says not to pre-soak thier hydraulic flat tappet lifters.

 

thats very odd, i thought that you had to soak all lifters before install to pre oil them. i usually leave them in a can over night to soak

 

Just installed set of crane lifters and cam and the instructions stated it was not nessesssary to pre-soak the lifters before instaltion. I poured some oil over them anyways.

 

i really need to start reading instructions

 

Necessary or not, it can't hurt.

 

A better way to do it is by taking a pushrod, forcing the lifter down against the spring, then taking a squirt oil can, put the end into the lifter (hole on the side) and pump it up. You can "feel" the lifter pump up by doing this. This guarantees the lifter is oiled. Pre-soaking doesn't do that. Then I use a dab of white grease on the bottom and dip it in oil, (I use Melling lube on the cam). Do the adjustment by the exhaust opens, adjust the intake and intake closes adjust the exhaust method and you're done.