Tappet replacement

[Jacksonlll]

I need to replace a few tappets. How do I keep them in place when I drop the cam shaft? Engine is still in the car.

[larrys40]

jackson,
I have done this!

You can replace the cam without removing the head and of course removing the radiator and wiring the Lifters up ( premise they are adjustable lifters. )

You remove the keeper, use a thin piece of mechanics wire and loop it around the adjustable hex pad and then around a coil on the valve spring. Rotate the valve spring till lightly snug and it will pull the lifter up. Of course the spring is the adjustable variable. Make sure your loops leave enough excess to remove easily.



I have replaced a cam without removing the head or pan and in one evening reset valves once cam was replaced and all was well. If you are replacing those respective lifters you would of course have to release those once the cam is removed and rewire them back up temporarily till cam replaced.



Good luck and All the best!
Larry Shepard

[Jacksonlll]

I don't have adjustable tappets. They are original. How do I grab them?

[larrys40]

you might try a tight wrap with the wire and twist them with pliers to get a good "noose" on them and then attach to spring. there's not a lot to get a hold of.... you're just hoping for a shot. If you are going to all that trouble replace them all!!



otherwise just pull engine and go from there.

larry

[John]

You can use an "old time" wooden clothes pin or you can use an 'o' ring around the tappet to hold it up while the cam is removed. Compressed air may be used in the cylinder to hold the valves down when replacing the valve springs and keepers. Have fun!

John

[Jacksonlll]

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Thanks, that info is just what I needed and very fast response.

[Kurt in NJ]

There is a hole in the side of most original tappets intended to be used to hold them up for camshaft change ---I think it is mentioned in service bulletins

[Jacksonlll]

I like the hole idea. Thanks.