Lifters, Timing Chain, Pushrods?

DFG 5OH

Active Member
Aug 28, 2004
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Louisville, KY
I'm going to be doing a H/C/I swap soon, and would it be a good move to go ahead and put in new lifters, pushrods, and a timing chain? I'm not touching the bottom end, everything is used P heads, explorer intake, comp cam. If i do replace this stuff, how much more is it gonna cost me?

Matt
 
From what I have gathered, the lifters are pretty stout, being rollers and all. So you probably will not need to change those for a long time. Just inspect them while you are in there and get a set if you find one or more are worn. On the other hand, there will never be an easier time to replace them, so if you have an extra $200 to $250 burning a hole in your pocket, then go ahead and replace them. Your call.

The timing chain and pushrods are a different story. Both are fairly inexpensive to replace with new, and also are significantly lower durability than the lifters. So I would just plan on swapping those.

On the pushrods, isn't selecting the optimum pushrod length an issue when swapping heads and cam? It seems like you might need a change for that regardless. (I bought the TFS kit so I wouldn't have to worry about issues like selecting the right length pushrods.)
 
well I got P heads, so i figured that the i could reuse the stock pushrods, but much would a FMS timing chain be? I saw one in the mag. but didnt check the price. While i'm at it i think i'm going to get a new waterpump, and balancer.
 
ford roller lifters are about $120, and if you have over 60k on the clock then i would say most definetly replace them. it is my opinion that whenever a cam swap is done all assoc parts should be replaced, it would suck to have to go back in there in 30k to replace a lifter, then 20k after that have to do a t-chain.
 
The lifters, in most cases, are perfectly fine to reuse after 150k. If the car only has 60k on it, there should be no reason why they shouldn't be reuseable. Just check the rollers and make sure none of the lifter bodies are scored.

The timing chain should definitely be replaced. That should be top priority.

The pushrods will most likely have to be replaced. The cam you're using is different, the deck thickness of the P heads is probably different, etc. Remember, when measuring pushrods, we are usually talking increments of 0.05". That's not a lot to a normal person - that's a TON in "motor talk".

Joe
 
adjustable pushrod length checker

since the P's are pedastal mount you just TQ those down then adjust the pushrod to the length you need. ill be done with mine in a few days if you want it, $5 + shipping
 
Matthias, changing the lifters is not neccessary (like I once thought), but they only cost $120 or so (not $250 like somebody else mentioned) so you might as well. It's more crucial on a high mileage motor like mine and yours probably is. The timing chain is a must, and the pushrods are cheap, so might as well do those too. Good luck bro, hope you don't blow a headgasket like it appears I did.