B-Mann

i recently rebuilt my motor and before installing the lifters I couldn't pump all of them manually to get oil in them. My question is will they pump themselves up when the motor runs or do i have to take them back out and try to push them in? Thanks guys just don't want to mess up new lifters.

Oldsmaniac

I usually soak em in oil before installing but when you pre-lube the engine before starting oil will be circulated to the lifters.

B-Mann

We did soak them but wasn't able to pump them before installing.

B-Mann

I'm affraid of running my motor and messing it up without knowing for sure if it is bad to not of pressed the lifters to fill them with oil before putting them in, we tried but they were very hard to push in. If someone could let me know everything will be cool if i just let them work in themselves it would make me feel a lot better.

88 coupe

I will. Post #2 told you what you need to know.

Oldsmaniac likes to pump them up. I don't, because I like to check preload when they are empty.

Makes no difference as, either way, they will be filled when you do the prelube.

Norm

J-(Chicago)

While we're on the subject....
What is your preload going to be set at?

I've always set mine to .020 and it has worked out well.
I called Milan's High Performance Olds, and he recommended .030 -.060
I also called up D.R.D. Racing in Wisconsin and .040 was recommended.

My chassis service manual states .005 -.020

It'd be interesting to get some field measurements of what preload everyone is running and why.

380 Racer

When prelubing the engine with hyd lifters (or any lifter) Run the pump for a few seconds, turn the crank 90 degrees, prime.....turn the crank 90 until you have oil in all.

Jay, Milan told you that because that puts the lifter in the center of the travel. Was that manual a Mondello? He states that is for a racing motor. I used to run.005-.010 to get them to act like a solid. Ask Milan, he will tell you the same.

J-(Chicago)

My Manual is a 1980 Oldsmobile Chassis service manual.

Center of travel sounds like a good happy medium to me.

380 Racer

OK thanks, I had never seen that before. Yes I am still learning .

J-(Chicago)

We all are.

88 coupe

Adjustables, in most cases = ⅛ of a turn down.
Fixed, in most cases = Doesn't matter as long as there is no "tick" or they are not bottoming out.

Exceptions? Whatever it takes to correct valvetrain geometry.

Norm

88 coupe

Any preload (.005") causes it to act like a hydraulic. To make a hydraulic act like a solid, it must be completely collapsed, so any "damping" effect is eliminated.

Norm