Lifters tight in new block

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Feb 28, 2015 | 06:13 AM

maroonls1z

Thread Starter

TECH Resident

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 980

Likes: 2

Lifters tight in new block

How snug are lifters suppose to be in the lifter bores in a new block? I'm have a set of Johnson link bars and when I put them in the new block they slid in but not very easily. I figured they might just need to be run and wear in and I wanted to confirm this. They are not super tight but if they stayed this way I would not be able to use a pen magnet to pull them up or anything.

Feb 28, 2015 | 07:46 AM

WE TODD DID

TECH Fanatic

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 1,627

Likes: 290

Moving parts aren't supposed to "wear in". Did you measure the lifter bore clearance? Probably going to have to get the lifter bores honed to size. Needs .0015"

Feb 28, 2015 | 09:05 AM

maroonls1z

Thread Starter

TECH Resident

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 980

Likes: 2

I didn't have a bore gauge. They don't stick or anything in the bores. They are just snug. They move up and down freely when I turn the crank over. Maybe I'll get a bore gauge and check it out to confirm. 0.0015 is a pretty small gap so that could be pretty much where I'm at and I'm just being paranoid

Last edited by maroonls1z; Feb 28, 2015 at 09:14 AM.

Feb 28, 2015 | 10:24 AM

redtan

TECH Junkie

iTrader: (5)

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 3,764

Likes: 17

From: Belmont, MA

They're supposed to be snug, just like pistons. Otherwise if they are too loose then would rock back and forth in the bore and/or spin around none of which you want.

Feb 28, 2015 | 10:46 AM

maroonls1z

Thread Starter

TECH Resident

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 980

Likes: 2

In that case I will just run them, was just thinking if I did a cam swap I wasn't sure a pen magnet would be able to grab them but they don't have oil all over them yet either

Feb 28, 2015 | 12:50 PM

WE TODD DID

TECH Fanatic

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 1,627

Likes: 290

Quote:

Originally Posted by redtan

They're supposed to be snug, just like pistons.

What?

Last edited by WE TODD DID; Feb 28, 2015 at 01:18 PM.

Feb 28, 2015 | 01:24 PM

KiwiKid

Launching!

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 215

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by maroonls1z

Dont think of it as a gap, the gap would be half of that again, its a clearance on the diameter of the lifter in its bore, and WTD is spot on .0015"

Are you using an aluminum block?

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Pouria Savadkouei

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Verdad Gallardo

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Verdad Gallardo

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Verdad Gallardo

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Pouria Savadkouei

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Verdad Gallardo

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Pouria Savadkouei

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Verdad Gallardo

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Verdad Gallardo

Feb 28, 2015 | 01:38 PM

WE TODD DID

TECH Fanatic

iTrader: (2)

Joined: Feb 2007

Posts: 1,627

Likes: 290

Aluminum blocks can be tricky to measure. I would guess the lifter bores will get around .0005" or so bigger when up to temperature.

Feb 28, 2015 | 02:32 PM

#10

maroonls1z

Thread Starter

TECH Resident

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 980

Likes: 2

I'm sure it's fine and I'm just over thinking it

Feb 28, 2015 | 03:50 PM

#11

KiwiKid

Launching!

Joined: Dec 2014

Posts: 215

Likes: 1

Quote:

Originally Posted by WE TODD DID

Aluminum blocks can be tricky to measure. I would guess the lifter bores will get around .0005" or so bigger when up to temperature.

Agreed WTD, hence my question about the material of his engine block.

Measure it by all means, but if its neat sliding fit at room temperature it will be perfect at an engines normal operating temperature.

Feb 28, 2015 | 04:12 PM

#12

maroonls1z

Thread Starter

TECH Resident

Joined: Aug 2005

Posts: 980

Likes: 2

I was just test fitting them dry, I'm sure after I simmer them in some oil and use some assembly grease they will slide better

Last edited by maroonls1z; Feb 28, 2015 at 04:54 PM.

Feb 28, 2015 | 06:49 PM

#13

Havoc40

On The Tree

Joined: May 2011

Posts: 157

Likes: 2

Let me know how they fit in the block after you lube them a little. They should slide in with no effort, as clearance should be around .0015". I've ran across a few issues with factory GM blocks, usually roundness and taper. The lifters are ground to .8421"-.8418"

Feb 28, 2015 | 07:34 PM

#14

redtan

TECH Junkie

iTrader: (5)

Joined: May 2008

Posts: 3,764

Likes: 17

From: Belmont, MA

Quote:

What?

What I'm saying is that they should be snug in the bore without being able to rock back and forth in there and thus having a bit of resistance going in is not an issue.

Mar 1, 2015 | 12:33 AM

#15

CAMSTER

TECH Fanatic

iTrader: (10)

Joined: Mar 2011

Posts: 1,023

Likes: 0

From: Miami gardens FL 33055

lubrication first...

Just use them, don't put lifters in their bore dry, if hydraulic deep them in a jar in oil overnight or two then install them wet. be sure to squirt cam lobes with oil before you drop them in.