The Ford Barn

kurt v · 11-21-2022, 11:30 AM

Since i can't get adj flat head lifters from Johnson where is the next best lifter that i can buy for my build ? Don't want to look for used johnsons.

thanks kurt

tubman · 11-21-2022, 11:47 AM

I think you can still get the good adjustable lifters, just not the hollow type. There is a company called "Topline"? that made them at least until a couple of years ago. It seems they may have priced themselves out of the business.

40cpe · 11-21-2022, 12:22 PM

I used hollow adjustable lifters from Red's Headers in my engine about 6 years ago. I adjusted them once after the engine break-in and haven't touched them since. I have about 6000 miles on the engine.

GB SISSON · 11-21-2022, 01:25 PM

I did a lot of research a few years back as I was unsatisfied with the unpredictable 'interference fit' of offshore lifters. I created a state of the art scientific testing apparatus to measure the breakaway point if thge lifter's capscrew. There was good input from others on the thread I created. Worth looking at. Thread was titled 'Loose in the lifters'.

51504bat · 11-21-2022, 01:38 PM

I'd check with Red's. I bought everything but lifters from him for my 8ba rebuild. Quality parts and fair prices IMO. But then I've never used the lifters he sells.

Newc · 11-21-2022, 02:05 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Non -hollow adj lifters are frequently Ford tractor parts. Newc

flatjack9 · 11-21-2022, 05:16 PM

I've seen an ad on ebay(I think) that claims they are selling new real hollow Johnson adjustable lifters for like $225. Seems fishy.

Tim Ayers · 11-21-2022, 09:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by flatjack9

I've seen an ad on ebay(I think) that claims they are selling new real hollow Johnson adjustable lifters for like $225. Seems fishy.

Agreed. That same vendor, I believe, also has some auctions with a starting bid of $1.00 for a set of 16 lifters with no reserve. Seems totally fishy.

restoman · 11-22-2022, 12:54 AM

I recently bought a set of those lifters and while I have not used them yet they pass the file hardness test well. They look like an excellent product. A friend, who is a professional builder has used many of them, but has found a few to be soft.

pistonbroke · 11-22-2022, 09:20 AM

I just received my made in the USA hollow adjustable lifters from Schneider cams . They look and feel like the Johnson lifters from back in the day.
Tim

Tim Ayers · 11-22-2022, 09:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistonbroke

I just received my made in the USA hollow adjustable lifters from Schneider cams . They look and feel like the Johnson lifters from back in the day.
Tim

Great news!

Ggmac · 11-22-2022, 04:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tim Ayers

Agreed. That same vendor, I believe, also has some auctions with a starting bid of $1.00 for a set of 16 lifters with no reserve. Seems totally fishy.

I bid on a set of his and got them for $138 including his shipping which is high .
I just did test with a file and they were as hard as factory non adjustable. They are currently in a 3 3/8 x 4” with just breakin time on it .

Tim Ayers · 11-22-2022, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ggmac

I bid on a set of his and got them for $138 including his shipping which is high .
I just did test with a file and they were as hard as factory non adjustable. They are currently in a 3 3/8 x 4” with just breakin time on it .

Great news as well.

tubman · 11-22-2022, 04:40 PM

This is good to hear.

Ol' Ron · 11-22-2022, 06:58 PM

I've used the solid adj lifters in many engines with no problem. However I think these were the ford tractor lifters. Passenger engines don't see the RPM's most race engines do. Just adda .060" shim on the valve springs.
Gramps

Kube · 11-22-2022, 07:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 40cpe

I used hollow adjustable lifters from Red's Headers in my engine about 6 years ago. I adjusted them once after the engine break-in and haven't touched them since. I have about 6000 miles on the engine.

I got a set from them a few years ago and two of the sixteen were dead soft. Thankfully, I was able to test them prior to installation.

alanwoodieman · 11-22-2022, 11:08 PM

where can original johnson lifter be reground?

KiWinUS · 11-23-2022, 06:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by alanwoodieman

where can original johnson lifter be reground?

Carolina Auto machine in Charlotte. But expensive $10 each. I just had a set surfaced and didn’t ask cost when I dropped them off.

alchemy · 11-23-2022, 09:10 AM

If you have a good old set that is properly hardened, I'd much rather spend the money to resurface them than risk using a new unsure set.

Over half the old flathead caracasses I have sitting in my garage have adjustable lifters in them. I surely won't be tossing those lifters as the engines get torn down.

flatjack9 · 11-23-2022, 10:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KiWinUS

Carolina Auto machine in Charlotte. But expensive $10 each. I just had a set surfaced and didn’t ask cost when I dropped them off.

I just had a set redone here for $7 each

11-21-2022, 11:30 AM	#1
kurt v Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: summerton, sc Posts: 353	adj lifters Since i can't get adj flat head lifters from Johnson where is the next best lifter that i can buy for my build ? Don't want to look for used johnsons. thanks kurt

11-21-2022, 11:47 AM	#2
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: adj lifters I think you can still get the good adjustable lifters, just not the hollow type. There is a company called "Topline"? that made them at least until a couple of years ago. It seems they may have priced themselves out of the business.

11-21-2022, 12:22 PM	#3
40cpe Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Star, MS Posts: 4,024	Re: adj lifters I used hollow adjustable lifters from Red's Headers in my engine about 6 years ago. I adjusted them once after the engine break-in and haven't touched them since. I have about 6000 miles on the engine.

11-21-2022, 01:25 PM	#4
GB SISSON Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Orcas Island Washington Posts: 4,943	Re: adj lifters I did a lot of research a few years back as I was unsatisfied with the unpredictable 'interference fit' of offshore lifters. I created a state of the art scientific testing apparatus to measure the breakaway point if thge lifter's capscrew. There was good input from others on the thread I created. Worth looking at. Thread was titled 'Loose in the lifters'. __________________ Owner/Operator of 'Jailbar Ranch' on the side of Mt. Pickett. Current stable consists of 1946 1/2 ton pickup turned woodie wagon with FH V8, 1947 Tonner Pickup (red) mostly stock with exception of a cummins 6at turbo diesel, 1946 Tonner Pickup (green) with 226 cu in 6 cyl flathead, 1979 Toyota landcruiser wagon, completely encased in 1947 Ford Jailbar sheet metal. Ok, cornbinder rear fenders..... 'Rusty ol' floorboards, hot on their feet' (Alan Jackson)

11-21-2022, 01:38 PM	#5
51504bat Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: SoCal-Redlands Posts: 3,024	Re: adj lifters I'd check with Red's. I bought everything but lifters from him for my 8ba rebuild. Quality parts and fair prices IMO. But then I've never used the lifters he sells. __________________ Making the simple complicated for over 30 years.

11-21-2022, 02:05 PM	#6
Newc Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 2,488	Re: adj lifters Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Non -hollow adj lifters are frequently Ford tractor parts. Newc

11-21-2022, 05:16 PM	#7
flatjack9 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oshkosh, Wi Posts: 4,527	Re: adj lifters I've seen an ad on ebay(I think) that claims they are selling new real hollow Johnson adjustable lifters for like $225. Seems fishy.

11-22-2022, 12:54 AM	#9
restoman Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: near san diego Posts: 89	Re: adj lifters I recently bought a set of those lifters and while I have not used them yet they pass the file hardness test well. They look like an excellent product. A friend, who is a professional builder has used many of them, but has found a few to be soft.

11-22-2022, 09:20 AM	#10
pistonbroke Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2021 Location: Perry Mo. Posts: 485	Re: adj lifters I just received my made in the USA hollow adjustable lifters from Schneider cams . They look and feel like the Johnson lifters from back in the day. Tim

11-22-2022, 04:40 PM	#14
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 10,320	Re: adj lifters This is good to hear.

11-22-2022, 06:58 PM	#15
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: adj lifters I've used the solid adj lifters in many engines with no problem. However I think these were the ford tractor lifters. Passenger engines don't see the RPM's most race engines do. Just adda .060" shim on the valve springs. Gramps

11-22-2022, 11:08 PM	#17
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,965	Re: adj lifters where can original johnson lifter be reground?

11-23-2022, 09:10 AM	#19
alchemy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: middle of Iowa Posts: 647	Re: adj lifters If you have a good old set that is properly hardened, I'd much rather spend the money to resurface them than risk using a new unsure set. Over half the old flathead caracasses I have sitting in my garage have adjustable lifters in them. I surely won't be tossing those lifters as the engines get torn down.