Lifter info

[Harold Degand]

Hi. I’m working on the valve train on a 239 french flat.

These are 8ba style, unadjustable hollow lifter.
My lifters measure between 1.71 and 1.72’’
The french valves are about 40 thou longer than US.

I lapped all the valves, now there is not enough lash. On some valves, there is less than 0.010’’

I could grind the stem or the lifter but I don’t have the tools to do that.
So I think about put adjustable lifters.

My question is how much measure adjustable lifter when the screw is fulled screwed ?
I need to be sure I’ll have enough lash before ordering new lifters.

Thanks for your help.

[Harold Degand]

Btt

[Ronnieroadster]

Harold the adjustable lifters are not only used for stock applications they are also used for reground stock cams that have been reground with a performance profile.
To get a higher lift using a stock cam the regrind process reduces the heal area of the cam lobe. This means the lifter drops lower into the lifter bore. To get the needed lifter height extension to adjust the stock length valves the adjustable lifter is obviously used. Since your valve length is only an additional .040 in length using adjustable lifters should work fine for what your doing.
Ronnieroadster

[Harold Degand]

Thanks Ronnieroadster.

I’ve read on another thread, a member had problems with his lifter.
They were to long and the valves didn’t close.
I worry about if the screw is fully screwed and lifter are still to long for my valves.

[Ken Henry]

A controversial area to be sure, but it is possible to shorten the valves using standard shop tools and careful setup. Ken


9F9F04F4-404D-4003-8E79-A137A9D986AB by kenhenry_06268, on Flickr

[Harold Degand]

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Not sure Ken.

Good idea.
I was thinking about the same thing but a little stressed to go to far.

[Ken Henry]

It may look attractive after pricing adjustable lifters LOL. I cut a V notch in the plywood shown and used a small square to get the valve stem axis perpendicular to the wheel. This can be checked by marking the end of a junk valve and grinding. Everything needs to be clamped firmly of course and I sort of twirled the valve with my finger while pushing it against the stone. Good luck with however you decide to proceed. Ken

[Elmo Rodge]

I have used a Harbor Freight 5" disc sander with a valve guide clamped to the table for this task with good results.
Wayno

[Harold Degand]

I tried the bench grinder tech on an old valve.
Work very well but the finish is not very smooth.
But does it really matter ?

[Ken Henry]

I used a 60 grit wheel and the finish seemed similar to the new valves before grinding. Hopefully more experienced engine builders will weigh in. I ground enough off mine that I also had to re-chamfer them

[Ol' Ron]

Kem
Looks similar to the way I adjust my valves. When the price of adjustable lifters went from 12 bucks a set to 20. I said to the sales rep." Petty soon they'll be 50 bucks a set" Little did I know,
Gramps

[tubman]

I use stock lifters whenever possible; I'm concerned about the quality and "holding power" of the current adjustables. "Set 'em and forget 'em".

I got my last set from "Southside Obsolete".

[cadillac512]

Originally Posted by Harold Degand

I tried the bench grinder tech on an old valve.
Work very well but the finish is not very smooth.
But does it really matter ?

Harold, you are correct...finish is not very particular in this area.



Terry

[Elmo Rodge]

That being said, I use 320 grit on mine.
Wayno

[big job]

whatever you do do not grind the lifter = grind the valve stem Use Kens setup and one nip at a time.....You can also bolt a 360 grit sand paper to the side of your grinder wheel.
so if you mess up, valves cheap at Napa....

[Harold Degand]

Thanks you all.
I spent 4 hours yesterday to set the lash.
I have 0.012 on the intake, 0.013 on the exhaust.
I think I’ll go to 016
The most difficult is to find the right lash !
I spent hours trying to find. You can ask 20 guys, you’ll have 20 different answers.

[Ken Henry]

FWIW my reground Schneider cam recommended 0.010 intake, 0.012 exhaust.

[tubman]

Here's an interesting tidbit. I bought an unused Engle roller tappet cam and kit for the early hemi in my vintage dirt car. There were no specs with it. I called Engle and they said anything from .010" to .025. When I asked "Why the range?", they told me that valve lash can effect performance, and that varying it is one of the things experts do in the final stages of "Super-Tuning". Whether or not this applies to flat tappet cams, I have no idea.

[Harold Degand]

I found this : https://goodson.com/products/prf-250-piston-ring-filer

Such a good tool