Go Back   The Ford Barn > General Discussion > Early V8 (1932-53)

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
Old 08-01-2019, 06:48 PM   #1
Robin 47 ford pickup
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Victoria , Australia
Posts: 52
Default adjustable lifters

Hi all , does anyone out there know anything about the lifters made by Hi lift lifter company and has any one bought them off a mob called Shaw City engines in Fresno Ca. Looking for lifters for my 1940 V8 ,any advise would be great
cheers Robin Gregory
Robin 47 ford pickup is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2019, 07:20 PM   #2
51 MERC-CT
Senior Member
 
51 MERC-CT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Hartford, Ct
Posts: 5,898
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Hi Lift Johnson solid #A-2032 lifters as i understand it are the ones to use as there are others out there with questionable pedigree.
__________________
DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES
51 MERC-CT is offline   Reply With Quote
Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
Old 08-01-2019, 08:06 PM   #3
Hal Beatty
Senior Member
 
Hal Beatty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2012
Location: Bellingham, WA
Posts: 213
Default Re: adjustable lifters

You can buy them directly from Hy-Lift Johnson... at least here in the States. Might be worth an e-mail to them.

Last edited by Hal Beatty; 08-04-2019 at 11:46 AM.
Hal Beatty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-01-2019, 09:15 PM   #4
Granny
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Sale, Victoria, Australia
Posts: 52
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Have you Tried Mike's Sidevalve Supply in south Aussie I got a set for my 8BA off of mike a couple of years back he make his own the website is www.flatattackracing.com
Granny is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 02:37 AM   #5
Ziggster
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: Ottawa, ON
Posts: 840
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Purchased mine directly from their factory in Michigan. I also came to the conclusion these were the only ones still made in USA.

Last edited by Ziggster; 08-02-2019 at 03:43 PM.
Ziggster is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 07:08 AM   #6
GOSFAST
Senior Member
 
GOSFAST's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,052
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)
They are still the only brand to use, they are made here in the states and are pretty much the same as they've always been.

To date we've sold dozens upon dozens and have not a single issue or "loose" adjuster.

We still buy them in "bulk" (photo below) by the trays, 92 pieces per box! We then box up the sets in the shop!

Do not purchase any lifters advertised as "Johnson-Style", most with this label are "off-shore" mfd.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. We've actually shipped a number of these over to your country fairly recently, the only issue getting parts overseas is the higher frgt costs and the "Customs" declarations. We use the Post Office for most small pkges!
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Flathead Lifters Johnson Trays A.JPG (61.4 KB, 86 views)
File Type: jpg Flathead Tappets-Johnson A.JPG (77.2 KB, 96 views)

Last edited by GOSFAST; 08-02-2019 at 07:09 AM. Reason: C
GOSFAST is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 07:54 AM   #7
RalphM
Senior Member
 
RalphM's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: North Pole, Alaska
Posts: 2,646
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Do they make hem in he hollow version as well?

And I gotta ask, why 92 to a box?
RalphM is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 08:21 AM   #8
GOSFAST
Senior Member
 
GOSFAST's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,052
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Quote:
Originally Posted by RalphM View Post
Do they make hem in he hollow version as well?

And I gotta ask, why 92 to a box?
Hi Ralph, no "hollows" to the best of my knowledge. I would assume if they did have them that the cost would likely be higher?? Just guessing, and since we have no issues (weight-wise) with the "solids" we really have no need to change!

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. With respect to the packaging, Johnson uses "standard" size boxes, the present size fits 128 lifters (Chev, Pont, etc) but due to the 1.000"+ Flathead lifter diameter they can only fit 92 pieces in same area!
GOSFAST is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 09:28 AM   #9
Ol' Ron
Senior Member
 
Ol' Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chester Vt
Posts: 8,842
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Hard to believe that, back in the early 60; they were only 12.95 a set. I got really upset when they went up to 20 bucks. I thought, at this rate they'll be 50 pretty soon???
Ol' Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 10:42 AM   #10
GOSFAST
Senior Member
 
GOSFAST's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Long Island, NY
Posts: 1,052
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Quote:
Originally Posted by Ol' Ron View Post
Hard to believe that, back in the early 60; they were only 12.95 a set. I got really upset when they went up to 20 bucks. I thought, at this rate they'll be 50 pretty soon???
Hi Ron, your memory's holding up reasonably well based on those prices mentioned?

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. Here's a shot of an ad found in a 1962 Sears "Automotive" catalog. Definitely "the good old days", it's about the time I started racing cars at the local track. It's been all "downhill" (or "uphill"), depending on how you look at it all, since then?
Attached Images
File Type: jpg Flathead Ford Parts Pricing - Sears 1962.jpg (64.1 KB, 74 views)
GOSFAST is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 10:58 AM   #11
51 MERC-CT
Senior Member
 
51 MERC-CT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Hartford, Ct
Posts: 5,898
Default Re: adjustable lifters

This is an interesting letter posted some time ago in regards to the quality of 'off shore' Johnson lifters.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 1a johnson.jpg (50.7 KB, 115 views)
__________________
DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES
51 MERC-CT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 06:26 PM   #12
Robin 47 ford pickup
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Victoria , Australia
Posts: 52
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Hi again guys , thanks for the interest . But my main concern is the lifters I bought from Shaw City Engines in Ca. Don't laugh but they have been selling cheap on the evilbay from 40 bucks a set to 250 bucks . now my question is would be they Hi lift lifters or not ??? and has anyone dealt with this mob??
cheers
Robin 47 ford pickup is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 07:16 PM   #13
Angledrive
Senior Member
 
Angledrive's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Lakeland Florida
Posts: 302
Default Re: adjustable lifters

If you know someone with a Rockwell tester have them checked for hardness. I bought some off Ebay a few years ago and had them checked and they were OK.
Angledrive is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 07:34 PM   #14
Tony, NY
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Capital of Corruption , NY
Posts: 810
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin 47 ford pickup View Post
Hi again guys , thanks for the interest . But my main concern is the lifters I bought from Shaw City Engines in Ca. Don't laugh but they have been selling cheap on the evilbay from 40 bucks a set to 250 bucks . now my question is would be they Hi lift lifters or not ??? and has anyone dealt with this mob??
cheers
Can you post the ad link? Would like to see it
Tony, NY is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 08:32 PM   #15
51 MERC-CT
Senior Member
 
51 MERC-CT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Hartford, Ct
Posts: 5,898
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Quote:
Originally Posted by Robin 47 ford pickup View Post
Hi again guys , thanks for the interest . But my main concern is the lifters I bought from Shaw City Engines in Ca. Don't laugh but they have been selling cheap on the evilbay from 40 bucks a set to 250 bucks . now my question is would be they Hi lift lifters or not ??? and has anyone dealt with this mob??
cheers
First question are they hollow or solid lifters.
__________________
DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES
51 MERC-CT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 09:04 PM   #16
aussie merc
Senior Member
 
aussie merc's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2016
Location: sydney australia
Posts: 1,025
Default Re: adjustable lifters

go to big mike in SA correct parts right prices and in the odd case there is a warranty drama youre dealing with some one on this side of the puddle that gives a toss not a faceless voice
aussie merc is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-02-2019, 10:22 PM   #17
Ol' Ron
Senior Member
 
Ol' Ron's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Chester Vt
Posts: 8,842
Default Re: adjustable lifters

The 8n Tractor lifters were all I could find when I started My shop.and the first few engines used them. These are solid and work very well in a street engine. I still used the 50lb spring pressure, and this was on the L-100 cam. So not to worry about them
Ol' Ron is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2019, 12:06 AM   #18
Pete
Senior Member
 
Pete's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: Wa.
Posts: 5,374
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Quote:
Originally Posted by Angledrive View Post
If you know someone with a Rockwell tester have them checked for hardness. I bought some off Ebay a few years ago and had them checked and they were OK.
While a certain hardness is one of the requirements of long life in a lifter, it isn't all. Metal compatability is another parameter that is essential.
Before the availability of Chinese lifters there were almost no adjustable lifter or lobe failures in flathead Ford engines. The type of iron used in lifters is extremely important. It can be like rubbing your skin with a piece of silk or a piece of sandpaper. The micro finish on different material lifters can vary widely even when finished by the same machine.

Ford found this out in 1957 when they produced the EDB cam in the 312 Thunderbird engine. After testing and before production release, they came out with a factory bulletin saying they expected in excess of 1% of the cams to fail before 200 miles. (which they did)
It was metal incompatibility with the lifters and was cheaper to let it go rather than retool at that late date.

Looks like there are 3 alternatives now.
1 - Use Hi-Lift solid lifters that are made in the USA.
2 - Find a set of antique hollow ones that are salvageable.
3 - Use the stock hollow steel ones.

Your required performance level will determine which.
Pete is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2019, 06:35 AM   #19
51 MERC-CT
Senior Member
 
51 MERC-CT's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2010
Location: East Hartford, Ct
Posts: 5,898
Default Re: adjustable lifters

This is an example of a fake Johnson hollow lifter.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg afake2.jpg (55.8 KB, 255 views)
__________________
DON'T RECALL DOING SOMETHING FOR MYSELF BASED ON SOMEONE ELSE'S LIKES OR DISLIKES

Last edited by 51 MERC-CT; 08-03-2019 at 02:09 PM.
51 MERC-CT is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 08-03-2019, 12:02 PM   #20
frnkeore
Senior Member
 
frnkeore's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Southern Oregon
Posts: 782
Default Re: adjustable lifters

Ok, another question. There are lifters advertised as "Isky Lifters", are these HI Lift Johnson's or off shore? Isky has always had a excellent reputation.

Frank
frnkeore is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)


All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:31 PM.