Lifters/pushrods

RoyLuke

Well-known member
Apr 18, 2007
261
11
After my '96 4.0 "Threw a Rod" I am having to piece one together from spare bits I accumulated over the years.
The maintenance manual says to use only new push rods and hydraulic lifters.

Question: Are totally new ones really necessary ? Is there any way to test the lifters?

I have about 30 used lifters on hand and plenty of push rods. It would save a lot of $$ on this rebuild.

TNX

Roy
 

Flyfish

Well-known member
Oct 29, 2004
1,402
212
52
St. Louis
New is the best decision. But if you’re going to go used, look very carefully for signs of wear patterns. Not being able to find signs of anything is what you want.

Afterwards if they’re causing any noise, you can spend the $100 for new since they’re easy enough to get to and replace.
 
Last edited:

terryjm1

Well-known member
Jan 23, 2011
1,486
375
In my opinion as long as the push rods are not bent or show wear there is no reason to not reuse them. Lifters on the other hand, I would go with new.
 

Swedjen2

Well-known member
Sep 12, 2018
594
127
California
After my '96 4.0 "Threw a Rod" I am having to piece one together from spare bits I accumulated over the years.
The maintenance manual says to use only new push rods and hydraulic lifters.

Question: Are totally new ones really necessary ? Is there any way to test the lifters?

I have about 30 used lifters on hand and plenty of push rods. It would save a lot of $$ on this rebuild.

TNX

Roy
Pay once - cry once.
 
  • Like
Reactions: RoyLuke and Flyfish

jymmiejamz

Well-known member
Dec 5, 2004
6,008
361
35
Los Angeles, Ca
You don’t want to swap around lifters unless they stay in the same position with the same cam.

the only time I have ever replaced a push rod is because it was bent.
 

RoyLuke

Well-known member
Apr 18, 2007
261
11
Excellent !!! That is what I needed to know.
Just took the heads to the machine shop yesterday.
If this engine blows (it is engine change # 3) I am going to do the Chevy 350 conversion !!!!!
Or perhaps there will be an electric conversion available soon.

TNX
Roy

1636812621659.png
 

Blueboy

Well-known member
Apr 20, 2004
3,205
459
Back in the USA; Rockwood, PA
Excellent !!! That is what I needed to know.
Just took the heads to the machine shop yesterday.
If this engine blows (it is engine change # 3) I am going to do the Chevy 350 conversion !!!!!
Or perhaps there will be an electric conversion available soon.

TNX
Roy

View attachment 62099
Don’t want to sound condescending yet if on the 3rd engine possibly you might want to consider other options on this rebuild.
 
  • Like
Reactions: Howski

98 HOO

Well-known member
Jun 8, 2004
270
0
47
Richmond, VA
Roy - I have a set of brand new lifters that I would sell to you for $75 shipped. Let me know if it is something you would be interested in.lifters.jpg
 

mearstrae

Well-known member
Mar 15, 2017
143
18
Pennsylvania
Never mix lifters, even on the same cam. They must go back to the same cam lobe they came from (they create their own wear patterns). There seems no option on this but new lifters. To test the push rods, roll them across a piece of flat glass (like window glass) if they make a clicking noise while being rolled, they are bent. And check the tips for excess wear, flat or slightly mushroomed tips are junk.
 

JohnnoK

Well-known member
Mar 19, 2017
190
19
Cape Town, South Africa
What's the reason behind this? Lifters auto-adjust, right? Rods ride in cups on the lifters and lever arms. What makes them position-specific?
As said, the lifters bed into the lobes of the cam and will rapidly eat the cam if they don't go back in the same position.
Also, use a ZDDP additive for the initial run in process, and don't skip the step, it is considered to be important for cam longevity.