Adjustable valve lifters

[Seth Swoboda]

There are some parts that are getting harder to source for engine rebuilds. I feel your pain.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Seth Swoboda

There are some parts that are getting harder to source for engine rebuilds. I feel your pain.

Yep. If you ever run across old hollow Johnsons at a swap, grab them. They can be refurbished by most cam grinders.

[GB SISSON]

At one point I was doing some searching here on threads about adjustable lifters. In one search attempt wording I came up with 124 threads on Fordbarn on the sublect. Average number of posts on those 124 threads was 17. The majority were about the lifters not keeping their adjustment, followed by wear on the bottoms. Most of the problems involved new offshore products, but even the old hollow Johnsons will lose the interference fit of their screw thread with too many adjustments on them. I bought 2 sets of used Johnsons at swap meets and have been experimenting with jamb nuts and other cures.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by GB SISSON

At one point I was doing some searching here on threads about adjustable lifters. In one search attempt wording I came up with 124 threads on Fordbarn on the sublect. Average number of posts on those 124 threads was 17. The majority were about the lifters not keeping their adjustment, followed by wear on the bottoms. Most of the problems involved new offshore products, but even the old hollow Johnsons will lose the interference fit of their screw thread with too many adjustments on them. I bought 2 sets of used Johnsons at swap meets and have been experimenting with jamb nuts and other cures.

Simple cure for loose adjusters on original Johnsons is to screw the adjuster all the way in and place the lifter in a vise horizontally and give them a light squeeze and check. If still loose, a little harder squeeze. That should fix it.

I've never heard of original Johnson's having insufficient or incorrect hardness, but never assume never I guess.

There was a run of import lifters that were pure junk unfortunately.

[GB SISSON]

I've used at least 4 sets of used Johnsons and no visible wear on bottoms of any.

[Bored&Stroked]

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Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Simple cure for loose adjusters on original Johnsons is to screw the adjuster all the way in and place the lifter in a vise horizontally and give them a light squeeze and check. If still loose, a little harder squeeze. That should fix it.

I've never heard of original Johnson's having insufficient or incorrect hardness, but never assume never I guess.

There was a run of import lifters that were pure junk unfortunately.

I pull the adjuster OUT of the lifter and squeeze it a bit. It has TWO sets of threads that are offset just a bit (that is what causes the interference fit and tightness). If you squeeze the adjuster, you tighten up the interference fit.

Different ways to skin the same cat

[GB SISSON]

I also remove the bolt to squeeze it down in the vice. Something to note is one firm tug on the vice handle is usally enough. I did one that was quite loose at two good tugs and it was very hard to crank into the lifter and a few more turns of the wrench the lifter produced an audible click and cracked half way down. It was a good ol' Johnson too. So be careful.

[Tim Ayers]

Originally Posted by Bored&Stroked

I pull the adjuster OUT of the lifter and squeeze it a bit. It has TWO sets of threads that are offset just a bit (that is what causes the interference fit and tightness). If you squeeze the adjuster, you tighten up the interference fit.

Different ways to skin the same cat

Dale, I out today on a hike with the wife. At some point, she asked what was I thinking about, I said nothing. The reality is I was thinking that I think I posted the reverse of how to tighten up an adjustable lifter on Fordbarn. I'm not kidding.

Thanks for correcting my mistake.

[3twinridges]

Originally Posted by tim ayers

dale, i out today on a hike with the wife. At some point, she asked what was i thinking about, i said nothing. The reality is i was thinking that i think i posted the reverse of how to tighten up an adjustable lifter on fordbarn. I'm not kidding.

Thanks for correcting my mistake.

😂😂😂

[Bored&Stroked]

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Dale, I out today on a hike with the wife. At some point, she asked what was I thinking about, I said nothing. The reality is I was thinking that I think I posted the reverse of how to tighten up an adjustable lifter on Fordbarn. I'm not kidding.

Thanks for correcting my mistake.

Too funny Tim . . . you're lucky she wasn't asking you something really important like:

"Honey . . . do you remember that time we bought ice cream at Shmoes???".

And of course, you'd have not heard a word because you were thinking about very important flathead lifter issues at the time . . . but as the flathead-fog cleared, you then might make the mistake of acting like you were listening to her and attempt a feeble reply (totally off-base of course) . . . and then spend the rest of the day in purgatory for your insensitive behavior.

There are things that are completely unexplainable to our loved ones . . . flathead valve adjusters would be very high on that list!