The Ford Barn

36coupe · 03-12-2025, 01:50 PM

I’m putting together a budget Model A build. I got these in a pile of parts eight of them. I think they might be model A adjustable lifters.
If they are for Model A, can I use them with split guides and mushroom valves?

J Franklin · 03-12-2025, 01:51 PM

Yes, if they are.

36coupe · 03-12-2025, 01:52 PM

Here is a picture

Joe K · 03-12-2025, 04:04 PM

Those are the so called "single nut lifters."

"Multi-nut" lifters have a "locknut" besides the hex you adjust on the top - which according to my engine rebuild from 40 years ago IS a way to go, but not the best.

The problem with multi-nut is that the act of tightening the keeper nut, it throws the adjustment out of whack. You can put MANY hours trying to get that elusive gap - and when you're done they're no more reliable than a single nut lifter as locknuts DO come unlocked.

Single nuts STAY - well, they should. They're designed to STAY first time as there is a gookem-pucky inside which pulls a "Loctite" on the nut once set.

I went with my rebuilder's advice and used the single locks. No problems looking back over 40 years.

And yes, you can use them with split guides.

Joe K

johnneilson · 03-12-2025, 04:37 PM

You might check the length compared to stock
Some of the adjustable ones are longer

J

Charlie Stephens · 03-12-2025, 04:38 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Any chance they are Model B, which are slightly larger?

Charlie Stephens

36coupe · 03-12-2025, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charlie Stephens

Any chance they are Model B, which are slightly larger?

Charlie Stephens

I haven’t measured anything yet. But I will check.
What would be the size of model A lifters compared to model B?

ursus · 03-12-2025, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 36coupe

I haven’t measured anything yet. But I will check.
What would be the size of model A lifters compared to model B?

I've yet to see any adjustable lifters made for the Model B. Folks just use the same as for the Model A, with a bit more adjusting.

Bob C · 03-12-2025, 05:45 PM

According to Vince's site the A lifter has a 1.117" base and the
B has a 1.187" base.

Y-Blockhead · 03-12-2025, 06:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

According to Vince's site the A lifter has a 1.00" base and the
B has a 1.117" base.

Did Vince change his site? Fordgarage.com sez Domain it has expired.

Bob C · 03-12-2025, 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Y-Blockhead

Did Vince change his site? Fordgarage.com sez Domain it has expired.

I think there is a problem with his site as I had to use
WayBackMachine to get on his site.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140928...ordgarage.com/

Y-Blockhead · 03-12-2025, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

I think there is a problem with his site as I had to use
WayBackMachine to get on his site.
https://web.archive.org/web/20140928...ordgarage.com/

Thanks Bob. I enjoy reading Vince's Articles. Very informative.

alexiskai · 03-12-2025, 08:51 PM

Here's the archive link for the page about the lifters.
https://web.archive.org/web/20150118...comparison.htm

Keith True · 03-12-2025, 09:11 PM

So who sells the larger foot adjustable tappets now? When I put an engine together in 1998,I couldn't find any.One vendor told me they had them,but when they showed up they were the small ones.I have the engine apart again right now,and would like to go to the larger ones if possible.The engine has 38000 miles on it now,no signs of wear on an original B cam and adjustable A lifters.

johnneilson · 03-12-2025, 09:13 PM

I had a fella bring in some new adjustable lifters a few years ago and the head was .940 dia.
I convinced him to sell and get something larger.

I have been running Chrysler 1.23 dia on the larger cams 1.7 bearing dia.

old31 · 03-13-2025, 07:43 AM

Joe, is gookem-pucky NH technical valve talk?

johnneilson · 03-13-2025, 08:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by old31

Joe, is gookem-pucky NH technical valve talk?

Pre spel czek

Joe K · 03-13-2025, 12:27 PM

Unspecified anaerobic threadlocking adhesives

Link to a Wikipedia reference.

Joe K

03-12-2025, 01:50 PM	#1
36coupe Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Location: Eastcoast Posts: 883	Are these adjustable lifters? I’m putting together a budget Model A build. I got these in a pile of parts eight of them. I think they might be model A adjustable lifters. If they are for Model A, can I use them with split guides and mushroom valves?

03-12-2025, 01:51 PM	#2
J Franklin Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oregon Posts: 6,370	Re: Are these adjustable lifters? Yes, if they are.

03-12-2025, 04:04 PM	#4
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,610	Re: Are these adjustable lifters? Those are the so called "single nut lifters." "Multi-nut" lifters have a "locknut" besides the hex you adjust on the top - which according to my engine rebuild from 40 years ago IS a way to go, but not the best. The problem with multi-nut is that the act of tightening the keeper nut, it throws the adjustment out of whack. You can put MANY hours trying to get that elusive gap - and when you're done they're no more reliable than a single nut lifter as locknuts DO come unlocked. Single nuts STAY - well, they should. They're designed to STAY first time as there is a gookem-pucky inside which pulls a "Loctite" on the nut once set. I went with my rebuilder's advice and used the single locks. No problems looking back over 40 years. And yes, you can use them with split guides. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

03-12-2025, 04:37 PM	#5
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,181	Re: Are these adjustable lifters? You might check the length compared to stock Some of the adjustable ones are longer J __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

03-12-2025, 04:38 PM	#6
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,305	Re: Are these adjustable lifters? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Any chance they are Model B, which are slightly larger? Charlie Stephens

03-12-2025, 05:45 PM	#9
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 9,359	Re: Are these adjustable lifters? According to Vince's site the A lifter has a 1.117" base and the B has a 1.187" base. Last edited by Bob C; 03-12-2025 at 08:20 PM. Reason: corrected info

03-12-2025, 08:51 PM	#13
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,848	Re: Are these adjustable lifters? Here's the archive link for the page about the lifters. https://web.archive.org/web/20150118...comparison.htm

03-12-2025, 09:11 PM	#14
Keith True Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Epping N.H. Posts: 3,421	Re: Are these adjustable lifters? So who sells the larger foot adjustable tappets now? When I put an engine together in 1998,I couldn't find any.One vendor told me they had them,but when they showed up they were the small ones.I have the engine apart again right now,and would like to go to the larger ones if possible.The engine has 38000 miles on it now,no signs of wear on an original B cam and adjustable A lifters.

03-12-2025, 09:13 PM	#15
johnneilson Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: 34.22 N 118.36 W Posts: 1,181	Re: Are these adjustable lifters? I had a fella bring in some new adjustable lifters a few years ago and the head was .940 dia. I convinced him to sell and get something larger. I have been running Chrysler 1.23 dia on the larger cams 1.7 bearing dia. __________________ As Carroll Smith wrote; All Failures are Human in Origin.

03-13-2025, 07:43 AM	#16
old31 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2016 Posts: 2,459	Re: Are these adjustable lifters? Joe, is gookem-pucky NH technical valve talk?

03-13-2025, 12:27 PM	#18
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,610	Re: Are these adjustable lifters? Unspecified anaerobic threadlocking adhesives Link to a Wikipedia reference. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.