Hello all. I've got a 88' Iroc with the 305 tpi. While I have my engine out and apart for new gaskets I figured I would swap out the cam for an lt1 cam. Picked up one for very cheap. I intend to do the piston rings too and was curious if I should go ahead and do the lifters while they're out. Guys at my shop are saying I can get away with keeping my old ones. But, the car has over 200k miles on it. I don't want to "get away" with anything.

My only concern: Am I endangering anything by placing new lifters with a used lt1 cam (had 70k miles on cam)? If not, then I'm doing it.

I have indeed searched around, but have not seen this actually covered. And, not that I expect it, but if someone feels that I should replace some other--not so expensive--components, do tell. Besides the engine of course.

 

Throw some new lifters in with the used lt1 cam and everything will be fine.

 

Awesome, thanks for the input. I also meant to ask that I have seen suggestions to use GM's LS7 lifters. Is that overkill for this here? Or was it because the price was right? Otherwise, I believe I read that the lifters have been same from l98, lt1, and ls1. Is that true? I was just surfing through Summit Racing and can't find a set of lifters for my engine.

 

if stock is roller lifters you can re use them no worries save your cash.

 

if you want to replace the lifters here is a good price.

http://www.skipwhiteperformance.com/...px?Item=J-2079

 

Stock is hydraulic roller lifters. The master tech at my shop warned me that I might have a problem with mushrooming or something on them if they were hydraulic. Apparently, in 87' they became that way.

Thanks for the link man, those look like the ticket.

EDIT: On another note. I'd like to replace the piston rings while I'm there. I wasn't really losing much oil, but some. Plus the poor thing sat for a little over a year. Still ran great though. Anywho, are all rings for this near stock application equal? Where might I find some "decent" ones.

 

Flat tappet lifters can mushroom with age ; roller lifter don't because they have a wheel ( roller) that travels on the cam lobe
Unless the rollers show signs of physical damage they are generally good to reuse ; esp on a used roller cam

 

Yup, reuse roller lifters if the wheels spin freely and there is no damage to the body or the wheels.

 

Thanks alot folks. Took apart the engine today and the lifters are in great condition; they look like new. While in there I wanted to replace the piston rings. The manual says to use something to remove a/the ridge at the top of the cylinder so as not to hurt the piston. No doubt someone in my shop has this tool, so when I return to work I can get it. That said, my buddy is trying hard to convince me to remove the pistons from the bottom of the motor, which means removing the crank.

I've yet to research this, but decided to post it in my response in case I don't find a good answer. I really don't want to remove the crank. But, if that is a far wiser path than removing the pistons from the top, then I'd like to know.

Also, I went to pick up some rings and the guy gave me three options: iron, chrome, or some other M something that was alot more than the iron ones. What do most people get here?

 

On second thought, after gaining proper understanding of the hows and whats of ring replacement, I've decided not to replace the rings. I wasn't having any issues with them before hand and I don't have the cash to spring for machine work on the cylinders. So, consider this thread closed.

Thanks everyone~