Can I use any solid SBC lifter to check my pushrod length on my new engine? I do not have a old lifter to take apart or weld. I am using the old style comp R's and TFS heads on the 383, and I already have a length checker. I am just worried that the R lifter will compress when I turn over the motor to check the wear mark. I have access to some solids though.
Thanks
Randy

 

Probably not.

The checking lifter needs to be exactly the same length as the lifter you will use measuring from the pushrod seat to the far end of the roller. The lifter is just the "foot" of the pushrod, so changing lifter length changes the requred pushrod length.

If someone were to check the length of old and "new" Comp Rs (seat to roller), and found it the same, there are enough failed new Rs around that some enterprising cam guy could gather them up and make them into checking lifters.

 

So what would you recommend doing? Should I just use the R lifters that I have and hope that they do not compress? Will it compress enough to affect the geometry of the valvetrain? I imagine I could use a lightweight spring also? Thanks for the advice.

 

I wouldn't do 1). Probably yes on 2).

I'd try 3) if I couldn't get a "solidified" Comp R for checking.

 

Take your lifter apart and take the gut's out. Use the outside housing and top cap. Cut a bolt and grind it where ya can just get the cap and lock back in with the bolt inside the housing. Walla ya got a solid lifter.
Make sure it's CLEAN when ya put the gut's back in.

 

So I will be able to gut my lifter, insert a bolt, check it and then reassemble the lifter and reuse it?

 

Randy, why dont you just use a dummy spring that will not compress the lifter any?

Dont mess around with trying to find ways to modify lifters to do this....its one area you do not want to skip out on. That geometry is critical.

Jason

 

Thats what Im thinking. Seems way easier to get a lightweight test spring and just intall that in the head. I wonder why everyone uses a "solid" lifter to do this instead of the spring? Thanks
Randy

 

Yes,I do it often. It will not hurt a thing if it's CLEAN when ya put it back together.If ya forget how it goes back together ya got 15 more as examples. A light spring may not give ya a true reading and the lifter may compress anyway.

 

So you would advise on using the "solid" lifter trick over the test spring? This is why I am confused. I am sure both work, just seems like some people prefer one method over the other. Maybe I will try both. I have never taken a lifter apart before. Guess there is a first time for everything.

 

Ya may have a hard time getting the inner body out but it isn't difficult and ya can make the rocker press on the stem hard enough to give ya a true imprint.
I would go with a softer spring if it was springs with 6-700lbs pressure open.

 

One other thing to consider if you're using an adjustable pushrod checking tool without the light checking springs: the guy on the Comp Cam Tech line told me that sometimes the regular valve springs are stout enough to crush the threads on the checking tool.

Chris

 

Not for a hyd roller,just the big springs for a mech roller. I use a Crower checker and it is stout enough to take the pressure of 175 seat-400 nose. Big double or tripple springs I take out the all but the second spring and check that way.