1950s 1955 lifters

[Bob Kielar]

Having trouble with noisy lifters for my recently rebuilt 1955 331. Which lifter is correct the one with the hole in the cap or no hole?

Thanks,
Bob Kielar

[V63]

The one on the right appears collapsed?

I always pre lube the lifters by sinking them in oil and pumping them up until no bubbles. Then install them wet.

The hole in lifter should correspond to hollow pushrods ?

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Sorry but the right one is normal as the circlip is directly over the pushrod seat.

Bruce.

[V63]

Sorry but the right one is normal as the circlip is directly over the pushrod seat.

Bruce.

It might be an optical illusion because of the coloration. The right one, appears in the image as the plunger is recessed?

Here is an image of a 'made in USA' lifter for the 331.

[Bob Kielar]

There are five bad lifters that were made in China. The one on the left is made in China the one on the right is from an original engine. Every lifter I have seen does not have the hole in the top cap is it necessary? Looking for a full set of nos or new USA made lifters any leads would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Bob Kielar

[Roger Zimmermann]

Do you have shorter push rods with the lifters made in China? From your picture, the original lifters used a longer push rod. Ask maybe Terrill Machine if the Chinese lifters are not from him...

[Cadillac Jack 82]

I miss the days of quality parts that weren't outsourced to some shotty production facility in some far away land.

[5390john]

Try Egge Machine
www.egge.com
John Adams

[Bob Kielar]

Thanks John,
Ordered a set of lifters from Egge while their camshafts are made in the USA their lifters come from Elgin Illinois and they get them from China had to send them back.
Regards,
Bob Kielar

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

Talking to an engine rebuilder friend the other day regarding the Chinese ones, he says he re-radiises the originals and after dismantling and cleaning, (not in that order) they are fully serviceable.

The original GM Lifters have a darker piece on material on the bottom, whereas the Chinese ones are all the same.

Plus, don't forget that without enough Zink in the oil, all lifters will destroy themselves.   Another friend has "destroyed" two engines in his cars because of the use of oil designed for modern cars.   Got to check the Zinc content.   No Zinc, no go.

Bruce.    

[The Tassie Devil(le)]

This is what happens when there is no Zinc in the oil.

Notice the different heights in the lifters?   These were originally the same lengths, and the wearing away of the bases sent microscopic pieces throughout the oiling system, and embedding lots of particles in the soft layers of the bearing shells, what it is supposed to do.

Bruce.

PS.   These pictures are replacing those lost.