Hi guys,

I've searched but not found the answer to this one, but how do I go about servicing lifters? I know how to take them apart and put them back together, but what is the correct procedure for making them like new?

 

throw them out and buy new ones, not worth wastin any time/effort. You still end up putting in a lifter with a worn out tappet surface on it.


Their only a couple bucks a piece for OEM hyd lifters...

 

Are they rollers?
What is wrong with them now?

 

i'm guessing these are non-rollers.
a couple bucks to new zealand is.... more

but yea, these are cheap no matter how you look at them.
are you replacing the cam? you'll need new lifters due to the surface on the bottom of it.
if they're leaking or sticking or something, then taking them apart and cleaning them may help, but "like new" requires buying a new one...

 

Sorry I should have said, they are indeed roller lifters. I'm rebuilding an '89 roller engine and I've fitted a new cam. This engine sat for 2-3 years and when I pulled it apart it smelt like a sewer because of the old sludgy oil that was in there. I've been told by a few people that I can reuse these lifters because they're roller. On one lifter I played with, I couldn't compress the cup until I pulled it apart and put it back together again (didn't actually clean it).

Can I clean these or shouldn't I bother? Things are a bit more expensive here so if I can save money without sacrificing the engine build, I'll clean them.

 

OK, that makes things different.

I saw your avatar that showed 82 LG4 and assumed you were talking about flat tappet lifters.

As long as all the rollers still appear to be in good shape and spin well i would considder rebuilding them. I imagine a set of roller lifters would cost you a few more bucks lol.

 

Cleaning them is rebuilding them, basically.

Disassemble, clean with solvent, oil, reassemble. Don't try to disassemble the roller, just the hydraulic lash adjustment part. Wouldn't be a bad idea to soak them in fresh oil after reassembly and prior to installation.

I soaked mine in a bath of clean engine oil for a couple of years (they were in the garage attic waiting to be used). Changed the oil once during that time, all sorts of gunk sank to the bottom. But, they've worked fine once installed.

 

Sounds easy. I will probably soak them in carb cleaner or something to help loosen up the gunk to make taking them apart easier for further cleaning. The one lifter I did take apart was a mission because of the amount of gunk in it.

I read somewhere on this site where someone had quoted some text from comp-cams website (or some other cam manufacturer), that it wasn't advised to put oil in them when installing into the engine in case it sits for a while and gunk builds up. It was said that filling the lifters with oil is taken care of when you prime the oil system before starting the engine. Should I go with this or should I pre-fill the lifters with oil?

 

I like the idea of getting the oil into the roller bearings good & proper. I don't know what "gunk" would build up from have been soaked in oil, but Comp probably has a little more experience with the things than I have.

Mine sat assembled for about 6 weeks before firing it up.

Oh, better watch out about that "prime the oil system" talk around here. You just might open up a whole 'nuther can of worms.

(For the record, I've been priming my engines prior to firing them up for several years.)

 

OK, I'll take your advice and pre-fill the lifters with oil.

Thanks to you and everyone else for responding.

 

Yeah, im not sure what the dough heads are going on about with priming the lifters being a big problem.

Ive done it on at least 6 motors with no problems or "severe engine damage" lol

I guess they must have some rhyme or reason to it but im yet to find out what it actually is.