The Ford Barn

Chet/Ma. · 05-31-2010, 11:01 AM

Is there a tool that I can make to stop the lifter from turning while being adjusted? Can someone post a picture?
Or who makes a stop device for this problem? Thanks Chet/ma.

Russ/40 · 05-31-2010, 11:19 AM

The best solution is to drill a 1/8" hole as low as possible in the boss that the lifter rides in. You then put an allen wrench or such into the hole to hold the lifter from turning. Of course the engine needs to be stripped to do this. Otherwise, buy the "Johnson" tools from one of the major suppliers.

Ed Pitts · 05-31-2010, 11:35 AM

Chet, here are some pics of the Johnson tool. There is a left and a right. Ed

mfagan · 05-31-2010, 11:39 AM

The drilling the hole method is a much better way to go. In using the manufactured tool method I actually broke the top out of a lifter and found that my flathead buddies method of drilling the hole was much faster and better.

01aford · 05-31-2010, 12:19 PM

Let me begin with. “This is my personal preference”
I don’t like adjustable lifters. Any time there’s a nut it will get loose especially when put under the wear and tear of a lifter. If your valves are cut and fitted correctly at rebuild you won’t have a problem. Don’t get me wrong each one needs to be fit and gapped individually. The adjustable valves correct problems from a less then perfect build.

Don · 05-31-2010, 12:23 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Try your local tractor dealer. Thats where i got mine,not tractor supply, don p

Frank Miller · 05-31-2010, 01:22 PM

Chet I have the tools and you can have them. Tried a couple and ended up drilling them all. Of course I was assembling the engine and was able to remove them all. If you only need to adjust a few it will not be too bad.

oldford2 · 05-31-2010, 04:48 PM

Chet,
How are you doing? Sounds like you are beyond the stage where you can drill the bores. These wrenches are a little tricky but work just fine once you get the hang of it. I can drop a pair in a mailer to you if you want. Just e-mail me. John

denverslim · 05-31-2010, 07:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 01aford

Let me begin with. “This is my personal preference”
I don’t like adjustable lifters. Any time there’s a nut it will get loose especially when put under the wear and tear of a lifter. If your valves are cut and fitted correctly at rebuild you won’t have a problem. Don’t get me wrong each one needs to be fit and gapped individually. The adjustable valves correct problems from a less then perfect build.

"Ajustable lifters are made for adjusting". This is exactly what my old rebuilder buddy sez. They make it easier, but not necessarily better...slim

Walt Dupont--Me. · 05-31-2010, 08:04 PM

Most adjustable lifters are junk now days, made in Kocamumga or some place like that. The adjuster is either to hard to move or there to loose. I don't use them, I butt grind like Henry did. Of course I relize not everybody has valve grinders and butt grinders. If I have to use adjustables I get the ones made in Austrailya (spelling) I know Reds Headers sell them and probably others. They are just like the old Johnson lifters. I just used a set a month or so ago. Every one of the adjustas turned with just the same interfearance. You can use the Johnson type to hold them. The best thing is to drill the lifter boss, but if your engine is all together use the tool. Walt

denverslim · 05-31-2010, 08:39 PM

Here's a shot of the last engine rebuild I did, showing the holes in the boss' where you can stick in an allen wrench to hold the lifter from turning while adjusting the nut.
I used a little drop of Locktite on each nut just to make me feel better...slim

Chet/Ma. · 05-31-2010, 09:32 PM

Thank you, Thank you The block that I was adjusting the lifters had been rebuilt previously and some one did not put the 1/8 holes low enough in all cases. So I got in touch with Joe's Antique and he supplied me with some wrenches. But thank you again for all the help. You guys are always there to help even on a holiday. Chet

chap52 · 03-22-2016, 07:37 AM

Before install you might carefully place them in a vice (I use a couple of pieces of scrap wood so I don't mess them up). Last set I had the bolts were EXTREMELY tight. A drop of Loctite is a great idea after adjusting.
Lots of great posts on here about sequence and adjusting.

JSeery · 03-22-2016, 08:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by norseg

low enough in all cases.
gclub online

? What does low enough refer to?

Ol' Ron · 03-22-2016, 08:28 AM

All this information and more, is in most of the flathead books, including mine.

Tony, NY · 03-22-2016, 08:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JSeery

? What does low enough refer to?

I think he's saying that the holes are low enough in the bosses and should work for tightening.

JSeery · 03-22-2016, 09:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony, NY

I think he's saying that the holes are low enough in the bosses and should work for tightening.

That's what I was thinking as well but wasn't sure. Might be fine for a stock of mild cam, but I would want them lower in the bosses myself!

jerry shook · 03-22-2016, 02:59 PM

I will be putting adj lifters in. My question is what is the best to use.

JSeery · 03-22-2016, 03:04 PM

Depends on who you ask! I like the ones Red's sells.

Blowby · 03-23-2016, 06:40 PM

BUMP. I have a new set of Red's lifters and bare block. So put the cam on the base circle and measure how far down to the adjuster hole, simple enough. What about locating the holes horizontally, perpendicular to the cam or any old place? The holes in the photo above seem to be random.

05-31-2010, 11:01 AM	#1
Chet/Ma. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 157	Adjustable lifters Is there a tool that I can make to stop the lifter from turning while being adjusted? Can someone post a picture? Or who makes a stop device for this problem? Thanks Chet/ma.

05-31-2010, 11:19 AM	#2
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Adjustable lifters The best solution is to drill a 1/8" hole as low as possible in the boss that the lifter rides in. You then put an allen wrench or such into the hole to hold the lifter from turning. Of course the engine needs to be stripped to do this. Otherwise, buy the "Johnson" tools from one of the major suppliers.

05-31-2010, 11:39 AM	#4
mfagan Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kaufman, TX Posts: 822	Re: Adjustable lifters The drilling the hole method is a much better way to go. In using the manufactured tool method I actually broke the top out of a lifter and found that my flathead buddies method of drilling the hole was much faster and better.

05-31-2010, 12:19 PM	#5
01aford Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 176	Re: Adjustable lifters Let me begin with. “This is my personal preference” I don’t like adjustable lifters. Any time there’s a nut it will get loose especially when put under the wear and tear of a lifter. If your valves are cut and fitted correctly at rebuild you won’t have a problem. Don’t get me wrong each one needs to be fit and gapped individually. The adjustable valves correct problems from a less then perfect build.

05-31-2010, 12:23 PM	#6
Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ashland KY Posts: 1,159	Re: Adjustable lifters Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Try your local tractor dealer. Thats where i got mine,not tractor supply, don p

05-31-2010, 01:22 PM	#7
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: Adjustable lifters Chet I have the tools and you can have them. Tried a couple and ended up drilling them all. Of course I was assembling the engine and was able to remove them all. If you only need to adjust a few it will not be too bad.

05-31-2010, 04:48 PM	#8
oldford2 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: pittsfield, MA Posts: 2,086	Re: Adjustable lifters Chet, How are you doing? Sounds like you are beyond the stage where you can drill the bores. These wrenches are a little tricky but work just fine once you get the hang of it. I can drop a pair in a mailer to you if you want. Just e-mail me. John

05-31-2010, 08:04 PM	#10
Walt Dupont--Me. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Gardiner Me. Posts: 4,200	Re: Adjustable lifters Most adjustable lifters are junk now days, made in Kocamumga or some place like that. The adjuster is either to hard to move or there to loose. I don't use them, I butt grind like Henry did. Of course I relize not everybody has valve grinders and butt grinders. If I have to use adjustables I get the ones made in Austrailya (spelling) I know Reds Headers sell them and probably others. They are just like the old Johnson lifters. I just used a set a month or so ago. Every one of the adjustas turned with just the same interfearance. You can use the Johnson type to hold them. The best thing is to drill the lifter boss, but if your engine is all together use the tool. Walt

05-31-2010, 08:39 PM	#11
denverslim Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Ehh...Denver Posts: 196	Re: Adjustable lifters Here's a shot of the last engine rebuild I did, showing the holes in the boss' where you can stick in an allen wrench to hold the lifter from turning while adjusting the nut. I used a little drop of Locktite on each nut just to make me feel better...slim

05-31-2010, 09:32 PM	#12
Chet/Ma. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 157	Adjustable lifters From Chet Thank you, Thank you The block that I was adjusting the lifters had been rebuilt previously and some one did not put the 1/8 holes low enough in all cases. So I got in touch with Joe's Antique and he supplied me with some wrenches. But thank you again for all the help. You guys are always there to help even on a holiday. Chet

03-22-2016, 07:37 AM	#13
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,776	Re: Adjustable lifters Before install you might carefully place them in a vice (I use a couple of pieces of scrap wood so I don't mess them up). Last set I had the bolts were EXTREMELY tight. A drop of Loctite is a great idea after adjusting. Lots of great posts on here about sequence and adjusting.

03-22-2016, 08:28 AM	#15
Ol' Ron Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Chester Vt Posts: 8,860	Re: Adjustable lifters All this information and more, is in most of the flathead books, including mine.

03-22-2016, 02:59 PM	#18
jerry shook Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Posts: 516	Re: Adjustable lifters I will be putting adj lifters in. My question is what is the best to use.

03-22-2016, 03:04 PM	#19
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Adjustable lifters Depends on who you ask! I like the ones Red's sells.

03-23-2016, 06:40 PM	#20
Blowby Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2016 Posts: 29	Re: Adjustable lifters BUMP. I have a new set of Red's lifters and bare block. So put the cam on the base circle and measure how far down to the adjuster hole, simple enough. What about locating the holes horizontally, perpendicular to the cam or any old place? The holes in the photo above seem to be random.