can you get a lifter out without pulling heads?

Flye · May 8th, 2009, 05:15 PM

67 400

If I go that far, I probably should pull heads and have them redone, but just for my knowledge base.....

Can you pull intake, and pull push rods and get a lifter out, or does the head have to come off?

Just trying to figure out options.

and yes, I realize many will say "just pull heads and do valves if you're that far....".

Thanks,

don71 · May 8th, 2009, 06:07 PM

The head doesn't have to come off per say, they can pulled out from the valley.

Beware....there can be a build up of varnish/gum deposits that will make them very stubburn and tough to pull out. If that happens, you have to knock them into the engine. You'll be pulling the oil pan off to get them out, not the heads.

edit...in order to knock the lifters in the engine, the cam has to removed.

Jamesbo · May 8th, 2009, 07:40 PM

Bass ackwards is possible but not advisable.

Pull the heads.

jensenracing77 · May 8th, 2009, 07:55 PM

you don't need to pull the heads. if you have a stuck lifter in the bore you can pull them out with an internal barring puller for small barrings. you will ruin the lifter doing this.

joe_padavano · May 8th, 2009, 08:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jensenracing77

you don't need to pull the heads. if you have a stuck lifter in the bore you can pull them out with an internal barring puller for small barrings. you will ruin the lifter doing this.

OR...

You could just get the right tool for the job and not ruin anything.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...&redirect=true

scrappie · May 9th, 2009, 05:17 AM

That looks like the tool to use. I don't understand why the head should come off to get a lifter out? After the intake is removed you can get to the lifter with that tool Joe suggested or not. How would the head being removed give you more access?

jensenracing77 · May 9th, 2009, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joe_padavano

OR...

You could just get the right tool for the job and not ruin anything.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...&redirect=true

that is the same thing as my little internal barring puller. i just figured it would scuff the lifter.

joe_padavano · May 9th, 2009, 08:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jensenracing77

that is the same thing as my little internal barring puller. i just figured it would scuff the lifter.

It's not the same as a BEARING puller. The lifter puller has small teeth that are designed to fit into the snap ring groove on the lifter so there is no damage. The black cylinder acts like a slide hammer to knock the lifter out. If that doesn't work, the nut on the upper part can be threaded down against the head (the puller rod fits through the pushrod hole) to pull the lifter out.

Warhead · May 10th, 2009, 09:13 AM

Riddle me this, Batman...
How many miles on this engine, and why do you want to pull them?
Yes you can do this.
If you want to do a cam swap on a high mileage engine, I DO recommend pulling the heads (but you know that already).
Jim

May 8th, 2009, 05:15 PM	#1 (permalink)
Flye Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Virginia Beach, VA Posts: 134	can you get a lifter out without pulling heads? 67 400 If I go that far, I probably should pull heads and have them redone, but just for my knowledge base..... Can you pull intake, and pull push rods and get a lifter out, or does the head have to come off? Just trying to figure out options. and yes, I realize many will say "just pull heads and do valves if you're that far....". Thanks,

May 8th, 2009, 06:07 PM	#2 (permalink)
don71 feed the pig Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Central Missouri Posts: 226	The head doesn't have to come off per say, they can pulled out from the valley. Beware....there can be a build up of varnish/gum deposits that will make them very stubburn and tough to pull out. If that happens, you have to knock them into the engine. You'll be pulling the oil pan off to get them out, not the heads. edit...in order to knock the lifters in the engine, the cam has to removed. __________________ 1971 Cutlass S Holiday coupe-455/th400 3.23 Oldsmobile they were meant to be driven. Last edited by don71; May 8th, 2009 at 06:09 PM.. Reason: oh yea

May 8th, 2009, 07:40 PM	#3 (permalink)
Jamesbo Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Atlanta, Georgia Posts: 2,862	Bass ackwards is possible but not advisable. Pull the heads. __________________ 69 H/O 69 442 convertible 69 Vista Cruiser 69 442 hardtop "Growing old is mandatory,Growing up is optional"

May 8th, 2009, 07:55 PM	#4 (permalink)
jensenracing77 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: brazil indiana Posts: 1,022	you don't need to pull the heads. if you have a stuck lifter in the bore you can pull them out with an internal barring puller for small barrings. you will ruin the lifter doing this. __________________ 70 Rallye 350 72 Cutlass 00 Silhouette 90 Toronado Trofeo

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May 9th, 2009, 05:17 AM	#6 (permalink)
scrappie Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: eastern MA Posts: 202	That looks like the tool to use. I don't understand why the head should come off to get a lifter out? After the intake is removed you can get to the lifter with that tool Joe suggested or not. How would the head being removed give you more access?

May 10th, 2009, 09:13 AM	#9 (permalink)
Warhead Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Phx, AZ Posts: 313	Riddle me this, Batman... How many miles on this engine, and why do you want to pull them? Yes you can do this. If you want to do a cam swap on a high mileage engine, I DO recommend pulling the heads (but you know that already). Jim

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