Lifter install for Noobs

[ill advised]

After spending quite some time trying to compile as much info I can about installing/changing lifters I figured I'd ask outright (I did research here also). Does anyone have any links and/or tech articles they can send my way? Is there a shop manual out there that has pretty good detail on this? Changing a manifold is the most I've done as far as engine mods are concerned. I've decided to try this on my own. It seems simple enough but being a first timer I know it can get ugly real quick.

 

[Michael Yount]

If you've changed an intake before, you're almost there, with a possible exception. Intake off, valve covers off, rocker arms off - then pull out the pushrods, and remove/replace lifters. Here's the exception - and it's a big one. Some heads don't allow all the lifters to come out with the heads on. Don't know if your Performers fall into that category or not. If they do, then the heads have to come off - which means headers have to come off along with any emissions equipment (air injection piping) that's still in place. You might post with a different title to see if others with Performer heads can tell you whether or not all the lifters will come out with the heads on.

 

[ill advised]

Thanks Michael. I've verified that my heads do allow all the lifters to be removed so I'm ok there.

 

[87gtconv]

Remember to put back the pieces where they came. Pushods are not mix and match!

 

[Rick 91GT]

When you swap hyd. lifters or install new ones soak them in oil for a few days to allow the oil to penatrate the plungers. I also like to pump them up a little by hand before installing.

Any good Service manual, Ford or a Chilton should provide you with enough info to do the job. You'll need a torque wrench if you don't have one.

 

[Michael Yount]

Since it's just the lifters - I'd add, before you crank it up the first time - while you've still got the valve covers off, pull the coil wire, and turn the motor over by hand in short bursts (5-10 seconds with 30 seconds in between) until you get oil out of the pushrods, down the rockers onto the springs. That will fill the lifters. If you'd like to make it really easy on the starter/battery, pull all the spark plugs - then you can spin it at will with the starter as the load is MUCH smaller. While soaking the lifters in oil won't hurt anything, I've never done it. Of course lube them liberally with oil - but priming through the dist. or turning it over with the starter I think is the best way to fill them. As for pushrods, I've always mixed them up with no ill effects.

 

[ill advised]

Thanks for the input guys. Every bit helps.

turn the motor over by hand

lol I don't want to make a fool of myself here (I believe I have an idea what to do) but I'd rather be sure. Can you elaborate on this?

 

[Michael Yount]

My bad - I intended that you use the starter, not 'by hand'. I'm so used to talking about rocker installations where you're turning it over by hand (socket on the main balancer bolt) to bring the next pair of valves closed so you can install their rockers. If you don't want to stress the starter at all, you can use a drill through the dist. opening - and prime the oil pump with the drill, while someone turns the crank 'by hand' until oil comes out all the pushrods. This will also fill the lifters up with oil before you crank it.

 

[ill advised]

Thanks!