The 'what i'm finding'thread re lifters

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Aug 19, 05 2:01 pm

First question. Engine not running. How much play should there be between the top of the pushrod and the face of the rocker? I can rock mine about 2mm+ easily. Is this OK and does the oil pressure to the lifters reduce this clearence once the engine is running?

Pete · Post by **Pete** » Fri Aug 19, 05 3:25 pm

The Harley Davidson definition of clearance on Hydraulic lifters is "Movement of the Pushrod with no trace of bind".

I do not think there should be any measurable clearance - 2mm is more clearance than my Solid Cam motor ran!!! That was 15 THOUSANDTHs of an inch.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri Aug 19, 05 3:57 pm

No. The pushrod should be pushing the lifter down about 40 thou.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri Aug 19, 05 3:58 pm

Here is a link.

http://www.cranecams.com/?show=faq&id=3

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Aug 19, 05 4:00 pm

So its pushrods then, pete?

Heres the latest new.
Removed inlet manifold. Cam shows no sign of damage. All lobes ok. Pulled 2 lifters and noticed that there was oil in the gallery that feeds the lifters. I presume this means that they are oiling ok. I compared the wear pattern to a spare set of Edelbrock lifters and found nothing much to say.
No broken parts apparrent.
I took some pics but they mostly blurred.
Hopefully there is a pic below of 3 lifters, 2 of mine and the Edelbrock version. Dont know if the pic will show but the middle lifter is still wet, the others cleaned dry.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Aug 19, 05 4:06 pm

Good link dave. That looks like the next job. Measure the preload.
I presume if the cam was damaged it would be noticable? I looks as good as the day it was removed from the 318.

The only thing i've noticed (damn that failed picture) on the lifter is that there is a slight change of colour where the lifter sits in the lifter hole. i presume thats normal?

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri Aug 19, 05 4:12 pm

If the cam lobe was wiped or if the lifter had problems you would see obvious damage. Check that lifter pre-load.

I hate non-adjustable rockers.

Dave-R · Post by **Dave-R** » Fri Aug 19, 05 4:16 pm

Miles. Hang in there. It is difficult for us to think on this problem and do our day jobs as well. So it will take a bit of time to get to the bottom of it.

But you are an intelligent bloke and as long as you keep observing and informing us we can sort this thing out.

Lifter pre-load is one of the things you need to check as you put an engine together. Not your fault because unless you have done this sort of thing a lot you wouldn't even think about it. If this is the problem it is an easy fix and as long as non of the pushrods fell out the engine will be fine.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Aug 19, 05 4:17 pm

Dave, so do I! Probably fine when new but not a few years down the line. my Capri doesnt rattle hmm adjustable rockers!
anyway, loks like much better news than I feared at the moment

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Fri Aug 19, 05 5:52 pm

Just for the record if you are using the black LA book with the orange LA with the factory incorrect bypass hose on the front. The photo diagram of the rockers on their shafts is wrong

I assume you just took the rockers off still on their shafts and plonked them on you new mill as taken off?

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Aug 19, 05 6:06 pm

Havent seen that picture Kev. The rockers are positioned so the oil holes exit towards the exhaust manifolds. Prety sure thats how they should be.
The valley area looks as clean as built it to my untrained eye. I presume this means that despite 20 mins of caning a pshrod or two onto the lifters i might have got away with it

Lifters dont look damaged on top and the clips are in place.

Kev · Post by **Kev** » Fri Aug 19, 05 6:09 pm

The rockers are "handed"

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Aug 19, 05 6:13 pm

Yep, recognised that and checked carefully. i installed them exactly as they came off of the 318. Drew diagrams n'evertything.

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Aug 19, 05 6:26 pm

Hang on , Kev. Handed can also mean that they belong with the pushrods they have always worked with,right/ I cannot be 100% every rod went back as it came out. More checking in order.
Incidentally, are the rocker meant to slop so much on the shafts. Both sets i have have what i consider too much ability to turn laterally!

Anonymous · Post by **Anonymous** » Fri Aug 19, 05 6:32 pm

Hmm, the original 360 pushrods are marginally longer than those of the 318 that i'm using