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Old 01-30-2022, 10:39 PM   #1
jeepguy1948
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Default Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

Is one better than another?
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Old 01-31-2022, 07:08 AM   #2
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

Colony
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Old 01-31-2022, 08:21 AM   #3
Bob Bidonde
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

In my opinion, the double nut adjustable tappets are the best because they hold their adjustment better than the single nut tappets.

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Old 01-31-2022, 09:05 AM   #4
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

Who sells the colony lifters.
Thanks
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Old 01-31-2022, 10:44 AM   #5
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

I found a set of colony brand lifters on ebay, and the specs mentioned that the base is 1". Do they come in any other widths? I ask because I read that you need to keep away from any lifter with a 1" or narrower base because it is incompatible with the model a and b cams. The Stipe cam website has a chart that shows that the orig model a cam requires a 1.117" base, and the model B cam requires a 1.187 base. There's a warning on the site: Only use the 1.117 inch (or larger) base diameter tappets with any Model A or B camshaft.
The inferior ~1.000 inch (or less) undersize base diameter (jam-nut) tappets on the market should never be used with any Stipe camshaft or original Model B camshaft.
The use of those too-small 1.000 inch tappets can result in severe damage to both themselves and the camshaft lobes.

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/stipecamshaftspecs.htm
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Old 01-31-2022, 10:53 AM   #6
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

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Per Steve Becker, these are Colony lifters and the ones he prefers for engine rebuilding:
https://modelastore.com/index.php?ro...roduct_id=3593

Doesn't say what the width is, but you could call them and ask.

The website mentions that these are "interference fit," this is a term for Class 5 thread fit. The internal and external threads slightly overlap, so they deform and "lock" in place when you set them. This thread fit is used in applications where the joint is expected to be set once and then left alone permanently. Sort of like nylon locking nuts, but in steel.
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Old 01-31-2022, 01:12 PM   #7
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

Quote:
Originally Posted by alexiskai View Post
Per Steve Becker, these are Colony lifters and the ones he prefers for engine rebuilding:
[url]https://modelastore.com/index.php?route=product/product&product_id=3593[/url
Just yesterday I tore down a very old rebuild. Pulled the lifters, and they are Ford stamped. They are identical to the "Colony" now sold in foot size. Cant go wrong with the Colony.
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Old 01-31-2022, 01:14 PM   #8
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

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Originally Posted by Colonial coupe View Post
Who sells the colony lifters.
Thanks
Snyders, and others..
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Old 01-31-2022, 02:07 PM   #9
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

I installed a set of double lock tappets thinking they would hold better and regretted it. They were very hard to adjust, as the lower nut was hard to get a wrench on (even a thin tappet wrench). I switched to the single lock type, which were easy to adjust.
Rusty Nelson

Last edited by wrndln; 01-31-2022 at 03:35 PM.
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Old 01-31-2022, 02:19 PM   #10
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

Rusty, I think the double nut ones have a slightly smaller foot. Risky I guess with some cams.
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Old 01-31-2022, 06:49 PM   #11
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

Single locks have larger foot, 50,s Mopar have the largest foot ,require reaming of the tunnel to fit , also come in oversize, got mine on flea bay few years ago nos, We do have a 490 lift so need real large foot,
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Old 01-31-2022, 08:00 PM   #12
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

When using the Mopar lifter, check for interference between the base and the bearing journal, as the base diameter is quite a bit larger than the B lifter.
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Old 01-31-2022, 10:54 PM   #13
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

As with any parts you put in an engine, you need to know what you are doing. DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING! Most of all DO NOT solicit information from anyone other than the guy that ground the cam.

Most cam grinders will specify what lifters to use with their cams. They usually supply a kit. You should NOT mix parts if you are not sure.

The split jam double nut type lifters are best but must NOT be used on original or original grind cams.

Most after market performance grinds use a 1 inch diameter lifter but you must know what you have before assembly.

Someone asked if it was possible to grind an A or B cam with completely stock specs that could use a 1 inch diameter lifter so they could have the advantage of the double nut lifters.
Yes, it is possible. I don't know of anyone doing it though.
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Old 02-01-2022, 08:19 AM   #14
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

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Originally Posted by Russ/40 View Post
Snyders, and others..
Thank you
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Old 06-17-2022, 05:09 PM   #15
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pete View Post
As with any parts you put in an engine, you need to know what you are doing. DO NOT ASSUME ANYTHING! Most of all DO NOT solicit information from anyone other than the guy that ground the cam.

Most cam grinders will specify what lifters to use with their cams. They usually supply a kit. You should NOT mix parts if you are not sure.

The split jam double nut type lifters are best but must NOT be used on original or original grind cams.

Most after market performance grinds use a 1 inch diameter lifter but you must know what you have before assembly.

Someone asked if it was possible to grind an A or B cam with completely stock specs that could use a 1 inch diameter lifter so they could have the advantage of the double nut lifters.
Yes, it is possible. I don't know of anyone doing it though.

I have a problem with new valves and tappets I am just trying to install.

I have purchased a complete kit of modern style valves, guides, retainers, keepers and springs (# M6505KIT at Mike’s Afordable). With the description of the kit “no modifications required” is mentioned.

Furthermore I have purchased a set of adjustable tappets (#A6500DN at Mike’s Afordable). The photo shown with the description shows that these are Conoly tappets. But they did not come with Conoly packaging. I guess these are the split jam double nut style tappets. With the description nothing was mentioned regarding required modifications.


Here are some dimensions:
Base diameter: 28.65 mm = 1.1“
Tappet length: 62.97 mm = 2.5“ (when screwed all the way down)
Valve length: 145.7 mm = 5.7“
Please refer to the attached photos for details.

The problem is, that the valves do not shut 100 % when I install everything with the tappets screwed together all the way down and the cam facing downwards. The valves stay approx. 1 mm (0.04”) open.

That means something is at least 0.04” too long. As the whole assembly should be adjustable, some additional room for the adjustment is required. That means actually something is about 0.1” too long.

Did somebody experience this kind of problem? According to the thread quoted split jam double nut style lifters must not be used with original camshafts.

That means my camshaft needs to be ground?

Another option might be to shorten the valves by 0.1”. Actually there is not much more room for shortening.

Are there further options? Which kind of adjustable tappets can be used without modifications?

Thank you very much for your support.
Attached Images
File Type: jpg 2 Tappets.jpg (66.1 KB, 59 views)
File Type: jpg Tappet Lenth.jpg (31.8 KB, 54 views)
File Type: jpg Valve Length.jpg (37.0 KB, 49 views)
File Type: jpg Valve End.jpg (33.4 KB, 52 views)

Last edited by Manxnorton; 06-18-2022 at 04:26 AM.
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Old 06-17-2022, 05:59 PM   #16
Terry Burtz, Calif
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

The upper surface of your cylinder block may have been machined excessively.

The distance between the top and the bottom of the cylinder block should be 11.505/11.500 inches.

Last edited by Terry Burtz, Calif; 06-17-2022 at 06:19 PM. Reason: Dimensional error
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Old 06-17-2022, 06:56 PM   #17
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

Too short a deck as above or valves too deep in the pockets due to wear or too much grinding without replacing seats. A tenth is a lot. Grinding the cam may help but dimensions need to be checked. It may need work on several places to get it usable.
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Old 06-17-2022, 08:29 PM   #18
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

Best is subjective. One person's best is not another person's best. And Pete is right that it depends on the cam and what the person who made the cam recommends.

I bought the single lock tappets from Snyders, link below, and are very happy with them. I also got new springs, modern valves, etc. from them. Everything fit perfectly into my Burtz engine. I am using the Burtz cam. I set the clearance according to Terry's instructions. The bosses for the tappets were not machined so I had to do the "rule by 9" method but I cheated and adjusted one tappet while measuring the opposite and went back and forth, reducing the time in half. (Measure 1 while adjusting 8, then adjust 1 while measuring 8, etc.) Diameter is 1.110.

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/p...htm?pid=978796
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Old 06-18-2022, 03:58 AM   #19
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

Thank you very much for your comments.


My engine ran absoltely smoothly with the old valves and tappets. The reason I took everything apart was a broken crankshaft. During that occasion I found clearance between valves and guides and decided to replace the whole valves and tappets assembly.

I checked some of the details mentioned. Please see below.
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Old 06-18-2022, 04:00 AM   #20
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Default Re: Who makes/sells the best adjustable tappets?

Quote:
Originally Posted by Terry Burtz, Calif View Post
The upper surface of your cylinder block may have been machined excessively.

The distance between the top and the bottom of the cylinder block should be 11.505/11.500 inches.

I checked this dimension and it is 11.50". There is nothing wrong.
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