pre soak new lifter in oil before install?
pre soak new lifter in oil before install? Ok i have read alot of conflicting info on pre soaking new lifters in oil before install... I have read in a few LS books not to pre soak new lifters in oil before install. I have read several threads on here that say to pre soak new lifters in oil before install... can a few knowledgeable hands on guys help clear this up for me. Not to be rude but im not interested in opinions from those that have not actually done the install themselves... I am looking for facts with results to back up the facts,, thanks
The fact is some companies flat out tell you its not necessary to do with the roller lifters however it cant hurt. I've put 2 sets of lifters in my ls engines and done many other engines and what I usually do is just get a pushrod and press in the plunger of the lifter while it submersed in oil, once the air bubbles stop coming out of the lifter consider it done and move one.
Well, on that note...
I reassembled my engine a good 6 months ago, and just today got it reinstalled in my car. I didn't soak the lifters then, because I knew it'd be a loooong time before it was running again. I'm probably still a month or two from turning the ignition, and just assumed it would take a short time for the oil to work up to the rockers. I didn't see much of a point in soaking anything in oil being that it'd all drain back out over the months it sat.
So, there has to be plenty of people out there that took months from the time of building the engine to firing it up - what'd you do?
I reassembled my engine a good 6 months ago, and just today got it reinstalled in my car. I didn't soak the lifters then, because I knew it'd be a loooong time before it was running again. I'm probably still a month or two from turning the ignition, and just assumed it would take a short time for the oil to work up to the rockers. I didn't see much of a point in soaking anything in oil being that it'd all drain back out over the months it sat.
So, there has to be plenty of people out there that took months from the time of building the engine to firing it up - what'd you do?
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Decision made, installing them now... Thread over. thanks all who replied.
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Launching!
Joined: Jul 2010
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Always been told to and always have pre soaked lifters new and old for about 24 hours before hand, main reason to get air bubbles out an to help pump them up quicker, only motors I haven't have been over head cam engines were haven't had to strip the head down and had no problems on start up, more personal preference on which way you want to do it.
I can tell You this much , the previous poster that said to use something to push the plunger in n out to basically pre-pump up the lifters is right on ,,,,,,,,,,,I have done this with great success ,,,,,,also any oil that's under the plunger will stay in there indefinately until someone takes apart the lifter .
Just FTI ,,,,,just soaking the lifters does'nt get basically any oil into and under the plunger ,,,,,,,drop 1 in oil n watch it 4 a while n tell me if You see any bubbles pop out on their own ,,,,,,,,the hole is too small ,,,,,so pushing plunger multiple times is the only n best way as far as I'm concerned .
Just FTI ,,,,,just soaking the lifters does'nt get basically any oil into and under the plunger ,,,,,,,drop 1 in oil n watch it 4 a while n tell me if You see any bubbles pop out on their own ,,,,,,,,the hole is too small ,,,,,so pushing plunger multiple times is the only n best way as far as I'm concerned .
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2009
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I always soaked lifters. But you SHOULD prime a NEW/REBUILT engine. I know PACE PErformance says GM recommends disabling the fuel and spark and spin it over. You are just asking for damage IMHO. Spend the time and go to Home Depot, get some large PVC piping and cap both ends (leave a oil fill hole and small nipple) and presureize your engine.
Teching In
Joined: May 2021
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Is lifters The fact is some companies flat out tell you its not necessary to do with the roller lifters however it cant hurt. I've put 2 sets of lifters in my ls engines and done many other engines and what I usually do is just get a pushrod and press in the plunger of the lifter while it submersed in oil, once the air bubbles stop coming out of the lifter consider it done and move one.
I soaked my lifters in oil I had warmed up in an old pot on the stove (not hot mind you). I did not pump them or try to fill them with oil. After fully assembling the motor I used a garden sprayer hooked up to the oil galley to fully prime the motor while turning it over by hand.
