The Ford Barn

Joe KCMO · 01-22-2012, 06:21 PM

Can lifters be removed without taking off the heads?

oldford2 · 01-22-2012, 06:34 PM

The short answer is no. Now, please tell us why you ask.

John

Joe KCMO · 01-22-2012, 07:14 PM

I just finished building an engine. A valve lost a c clip. I took it apart fixed the valve. Ran the engine. Opened it up to adjust the valves. I think I have an adjustable lifter that is self adjusting. This would be the third time.

Jim in Wisconsin · 01-22-2012, 07:49 PM

I tried them adjustable lifters once and did't like them at all. I think I'd be tempted to take both heads off, take all the valves out, and put regular lifters in. I'm sure you hate that idea though!

Joe KCMO · 01-22-2012, 08:12 PM

The amount of work is ok, the money hurts, but the worst part is I do not know how to grind valves or have the tools.

Jack E/NJ · 01-22-2012, 08:33 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

All the tools you need are a suction cup on the end of a stick, valve-grinding compounds, and a pair of hands.

Jack E/NJ

Jim in Wisconsin · 01-22-2012, 08:46 PM

I know what you mean, I went through that problem too. You'd have to put the lifters in and then put all the valves in, wouldn't have to put the clips in though. Push the valves down good and measure the gap. .013 -.014 if I remember right. If you're lucky a few will be good.You might be able to switch some to get a few more good ones. Then you'd have to mark the rest with the position and amount to be taken off and take them to a machine shop with a surface or valve grinder. Taking some off the botom increases the gap, taking some off the mating surface decreases the gap (naturally).
Maybe some of those adjustable lifters are better, the ones I had were just a fine thread bolt screwed into the top of a short lifter. I couldn't see how that would last long.

Ken/Alabama · 01-22-2012, 09:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe KCMO

I just finished building an engine. A valve lost a c clip. I took it apart fixed the valve. Ran the engine. Opened it up to adjust the valves. I think I have an adjustable lifter that is self adjusting. This would be the third time.

What I did was find the one that keeps backing off and unscrew the adjuster a little then upset the threads with a punch then redjusted it. I havent had anymore trouble with it .

Joe KCMO · 01-22-2012, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

All the tools you need are a suction cup on the end of a stick, valve-grinding compounds, and a pair of hands.

Jack E/NJ

Jack, how long would it take you to shorten 16 valves the correct length with a suction cup, stick and grinding compound?

I'm an old man!

Joe KCMO · 01-22-2012, 09:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ken/Alabama

What I did was find the one that keeps backing off and unscrew the adjuster a little then upset the threads with a punch then redjusted it. I havent had anymore trouble with it .

What would be your definition of upset the threads. I tried with a flat face punch.

Mike51Merc · 01-22-2012, 10:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jack E/NJ

All the tools you need are a suction cup on the end of a stick, valve-grinding compounds, and a pair of hands.

Jack E/NJ

Jack,
You're talking about lapping the valves. He's talking about grinding the stems to the proper length for proper lash. Personally, I'd probably need an extra dozen or so valves to get it right. I'll stick with adjustable lifters any day!

The tight threads on self adjusters tends to loosen up every time you adjust them. Once the adjusters get loose, the only hope is to peen the threads or use permanent loc-tite on them, or replace the lifter completely.

Fibber Mcgee · 01-23-2012, 05:07 AM

I was thinking loctite for a quick fix...I might be wrong though.

harry goebel · 01-23-2012, 05:22 AM

I would readjust and use some blue locktight on the treads. JMO

Jim in Wisconsin · 01-23-2012, 07:49 AM

In order to get the locktite to work right, I would think you'd have to take the adjusting screw out a ways - put the locktite on - and turn it back in. That would mean you have to measure the total length with a micrometer first so you can get it back to the right dimension.
I still like the original type, ol Henry had the right idea!
Does anyone know what the weight of those lifters are compared to a stock one?

jimTN · 01-23-2012, 08:13 AM

If you are runnng a regrind then you may have the wrong type of adj lifters with the thin top. Correct adj lifters for regrind cams have thick hex heads which makes the overall possible adjustment loonger. Thin tops work fine for stock cams. Any adj lifter that the adj turns easily will back off, there should be a fair amount of resistance when turned.

Walt Dupont--Me. · 01-23-2012, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimTN

If you are runnng a regrind then you may have the wrong type of adj lifters with the thin top. Correct adj lifters for regrind cams have thick hex heads which makes the overall possible adjustment loonger. Thin tops work fine for stock cams. Any adj lifter that the adj turns easily will back off, there should be a fair amount of resistance when turned.

I haven't seen any of those thick headed adjustable lifters for years. Does anyone still make them? They used to be in the napa book back in the 80's, Walt

01-22-2012, 06:21 PM	#1
Joe KCMO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 423	How to remove Lifters Can lifters be removed without taking off the heads?

01-22-2012, 06:34 PM	#2
oldford2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsfield, MA Posts: 2,086	Re: How to remove Lifters The short answer is no. Now, please tell us why you ask. John

01-22-2012, 07:14 PM	#3
Joe KCMO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 423	Re: How to remove Lifters I just finished building an engine. A valve lost a c clip. I took it apart fixed the valve. Ran the engine. Opened it up to adjust the valves. I think I have an adjustable lifter that is self adjusting. This would be the third time. Last edited by Joe KCMO; 01-22-2012 at 07:39 PM.

01-22-2012, 07:49 PM	#4
Jim in Wisconsin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 247	Re: How to remove Lifters I tried them adjustable lifters once and did't like them at all. I think I'd be tempted to take both heads off, take all the valves out, and put regular lifters in. I'm sure you hate that idea though!

01-22-2012, 08:12 PM	#5
Joe KCMO Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Miami, Florida Posts: 423	Re: How to remove Lifters The amount of work is ok, the money hurts, but the worst part is I do not know how to grind valves or have the tools.

01-22-2012, 08:33 PM	#6
Jack E/NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,173	Re: How to remove Lifters Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) All the tools you need are a suction cup on the end of a stick, valve-grinding compounds, and a pair of hands. Jack E/NJ

01-22-2012, 08:46 PM	#7
Jim in Wisconsin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 247	Re: How to remove Lifters I know what you mean, I went through that problem too. You'd have to put the lifters in and then put all the valves in, wouldn't have to put the clips in though. Push the valves down good and measure the gap. .013 -.014 if I remember right. If you're lucky a few will be good.You might be able to switch some to get a few more good ones. Then you'd have to mark the rest with the position and amount to be taken off and take them to a machine shop with a surface or valve grinder. Taking some off the botom increases the gap, taking some off the mating surface decreases the gap (naturally). Maybe some of those adjustable lifters are better, the ones I had were just a fine thread bolt screwed into the top of a short lifter. I couldn't see how that would last long.

01-23-2012, 05:07 AM	#12
Fibber Mcgee Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Callahan Fla Posts: 1,149	Re: How to remove Lifters I was thinking loctite for a quick fix...I might be wrong though. __________________ Wanted, a car with a " Dynaflex Superflowing Unijet Turbovasculator which is Syncromeshed to the Multicoil Hydrotensioned Dual vacuum Dynomometer. "

01-23-2012, 05:22 AM	#13
harry goebel Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Miami, Fl Posts: 74	Re: How to remove Lifters I would readjust and use some blue locktight on the treads. JMO

01-23-2012, 07:49 AM	#14
Jim in Wisconsin Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 247	Re: How to remove Lifters In order to get the locktite to work right, I would think you'd have to take the adjusting screw out a ways - put the locktite on - and turn it back in. That would mean you have to measure the total length with a micrometer first so you can get it back to the right dimension. I still like the original type, ol Henry had the right idea! Does anyone know what the weight of those lifters are compared to a stock one?

01-23-2012, 08:13 AM	#15
jimTN Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Powell, TN Posts: 2,509	Re: How to remove Lifters If you are runnng a regrind then you may have the wrong type of adj lifters with the thin top. Correct adj lifters for regrind cams have thick hex heads which makes the overall possible adjustment loonger. Thin tops work fine for stock cams. Any adj lifter that the adj turns easily will back off, there should be a fair amount of resistance when turned.