Adjustable lifters
 

Is there a tool that I can make to stop the lifter from turning while being adjusted? Can someone post a picture?
Or who makes a stop device for this problem? Thanks Chet/ma.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

The best solution is to drill a 1/8" hole as low as possible in the boss that the lifter rides in. You then put an allen wrench or such into the hole to hold the lifter from turning. Of course the engine needs to be stripped to do this. Otherwise, buy the "Johnson" tools from one of the major suppliers.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Chet, here are some pics of the Johnson tool. There is a left and a right. Ed

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

The drilling the hole method is a much better way to go. In using the manufactured tool method I actually broke the top out of a lifter and found that my flathead buddies method of drilling the hole was much faster and better.:)

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Let me begin with. “This is my personal preference”
I don’t like adjustable lifters. Any time there’s a nut it will get loose especially when put under the wear and tear of a lifter. If your valves are cut and fitted correctly at rebuild you won’t have a problem. Don’t get me wrong each one needs to be fit and gapped individually. The adjustable valves correct problems from a less then perfect build.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Try your local tractor dealer. Thats where i got mine,not tractor supply, don p

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Chet I have the tools and you can have them. Tried a couple and ended up drilling them all. Of course I was assembling the engine and was able to remove them all. If you only need to adjust a few it will not be too bad.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Chet,
How are you doing? Sounds like you are beyond the stage where you can drill the bores. These wrenches are a little tricky but work just fine once you get the hang of it. I can drop a pair in a mailer to you if you want. Just e-mail me. John

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

"Ajustable lifters are made for adjusting". This is exactly what my old rebuilder buddy sez. They make it easier, but not necessarily better...slim

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Most adjustable lifters are junk now days, made in Kocamumga or some place like that. The adjuster is either to hard to move or there to loose. I don't use them, I butt grind like Henry did. Of course I relize not everybody has valve grinders and butt grinders. If I have to use adjustables I get the ones made in Austrailya (spelling) I know Reds Headers sell them and probably others. They are just like the old Johnson lifters. I just used a set a month or so ago. Every one of the adjustas turned with just the same interfearance. You can use the Johnson type to hold them. The best thing is to drill the lifter boss, but if your engine is all together use the tool. Walt

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Here's a shot of the last engine rebuild I did, showing the holes in the boss' where you can stick in an allen wrench to hold the lifter from turning while adjusting the nut.
I used a little drop of Locktite on each nut just to make me feel better...slim
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o...build007-1.jpg

Adjustable lifters From Chet
 

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Before install you might carefully place them in a vice (I use a couple of pieces of scrap wood so I don't mess them up). Last set I had the bolts were EXTREMELY tight. A drop of Loctite is a great idea after adjusting.
Lots of great posts on here about sequence and adjusting.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

? What does low enough refer to?

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

All this information and more, is in most of the flathead books, including mine.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

I think he's saying that the holes are low enough in the bosses and should work for tightening.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

That's what I was thinking as well but wasn't sure. Might be fine for a stock of mild cam, but I would want them lower in the bosses myself!

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

I will be putting adj lifters in. My question is what is the best to use.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Depends on who you ask! I like the ones Red's sells.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

BUMP. I have a new set of Red's lifters and bare block. So put the cam on the base circle and measure how far down to the adjuster hole, simple enough. What about locating the holes horizontally, perpendicular to the cam or any old place? The holes in the photo above seem to be random.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

To allow for a higher lift cam I like them as low as practical.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Do you adjust them on the base circle or at top of lift?

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

I would strongly recommend using ONLY the original "Johnson" tappets, they are still available from the same company that began it all. They are all we still use to this day.

I would really be hesitant to use ANY lifter sold as a "Johnson Style", I don't care what anyone tells you about where they were mfd, I wouldn't risk it. For as far back as I can recall we've not had one single lifter complaint, none coming "loose", none "wearing-out", etc., and have sold hundreds upon hundreds.

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. If it helps with the drilling of the block I'll place 2 photos here showing the locations on the bores and the hand drill/bit we use here. It makes the actual drilling really simple! The bits are sort of "flexible" due to the length, never broke one however, just takes some care.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Base, there is no gap at the top of lift as the lifter is pushing against the valve tip and compressing the spring.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Thanks guys. Gary I assume you drill the holes for and aft to avoid drilling over the intake ports?

With cam on base circle the adjuster bolt is partway in the lifter bore, not sure I will be able to get a wrench on it. I have an old motorcycle with the same situation, which necessitates getting on the lobe for wrench room, then turning it back on the base circle to check clearance. This is a V8-60 if that makes a difference.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

That is the reason for grinding the opening in the side of the bore, to clear the wrench. Look at the photo I posted in #22 above. These are just half-rounds, but I think I will enlarge them to be more squared off for additional clearance.

Here is another example, but still not squared off.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Ah OK thanks. I saw that in your previous photo but didn't know what it was. The other photos on this thread don't have the reliefs cut. So it's standard procedure, doesn't cause extra wear on the lifter bores?

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

It all depends on the cam you are running. That determines how deep the lifter goes down into the bore. The higher the lift the deeper the lifter will end up in the bore and there comes a point where you need the reliefs to get to the adjuster. All cams start out with the same blanks (this may be over simplified but should be ok for this example). The higher the lift the smaller the base circle ends up and the lower the lifter goes in the bore when it's on the base circle. Thus the need for the reliefs. It is common practice if the cam requires it.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

OK got it. I'm waiting for my cam to come back from Schneider, then I'll be able to see how much the base circle has been reduced. Thanks!

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Thanks Gary, Did not know that genuine Johnson was still in production. I am wary of the Johnson style lifters.
The flatattack lifters from Australia were good ,but alas no longer. Though Mike must still have the tooling.
Do you have a contact for the Genuine Johnson lifters? Thanks

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Chet where in Ma.? i'm in the Lowell area and if you can stop by i'll give you a pair .

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Good info here guys, but Chet started this thread SIX years ago! DD

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Make up this wrench drill the holes and all is well no need to scallop the bore.The wrench drops on and doesn't slip.

R

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Now that's THINKIN!

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Guess I'm lucky, my neighbor long time parts man local Ford Tractor gave me the
wrench ford script and the holder 'ford scrip' which is one piece with two tangs
not the usual two piece. That was late 60's or 70's. All rebuilds they did got
adj lifters.. We got all out V8 stuff from them, too bad other went south couple
years ago.... All he said back then "remember where ya got it" statue of limitations
mine now............

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

on new lifters i adjust one then do each one to that length holding them in a vice with soft jaws this way you dont need to turn them as much in block for final adjustment

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

I didn't see where Gofast purchases his original Johnson lifters.

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

I'd like to know this as well. My current choices with my new MAX-1 are butt-grinding a set of NOS Ford lifters (preferred) or using the old heavy lifters that came with the cam. If the stockers don't work out for some reason, I'd like a third choice. I'd like to keep the valve train as light as possible because......well, just because.

By the way "s nichols", knowing the precision that went into the original manufacturing of these engines, that's a real good tip!

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

COPIED AND PASTED FROM AN OLD POST: DD

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http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/images/icons/icon1.gif Re: Adjustable lifters keep backing off - what do u do?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Ronnie http://www.fordbarn.com/forum/hamb/buttons/viewpost.gif
Here u go

http://www.toplineauto.com/index.asp

http://www.toplineauto.com/about-us.asp

http://hylift-johnson.com/our-company/

Find out who sells their product. They bought the Johnson plant and even hired some of the old employee's.

R

Above here is where we buy the lifters, I'm not sure you can buy direct however!! Possibly, but not really sure?

Thanks, Gary in N.Y.

P.S. I can tell you when we make this lifter purchase we buy a "tray" at a time to help offset some costs. I believe for the Flatheads there are 96 lifters to one tray, on the Chev's/Pontiac's, etc. we buy 128 lifters at a clip!

Re: Adjustable lifters
 

Not sure what you are referring to as "heavy" lifters as all the adjustables are heaver than the originals. There are solid adjustable lifters and hollow adjustable lifters. The hollows are lighter than the solids. Red's sells the hollow ones.