I came up with a simple way to keep lifters organized and in one place. This was easy to make with some scrape wood, some paddle drills and a few tools around the shop. It is a handy way to transport them without getting them mixed up. I came up…
Joe Werner Shop Automotive Machine& Supply Fort Collins, CO
Sometimes a failure or even a comeback seem obvious and we point a finger at a failure point and assume that it was defective. A little investigating might show a cause and effect scenario and what might be thought of as defective or failing…
Engine Pro Technical Committee
Timing components are more complicated then ever. Today’s components were designed to last well over 100,000 miles, with proper maintenance. Sadly, often due to poor maintenance and falsely stated factory oil maintenance claims, many timing components are failing prematurely. The problem is, some do not know how…
Engine Pro Tech Committee
The GM Active Fuel Management, or AFM Engines in 2005-2014 5.3L and 6.0L Passenger Cars, Trucks and SUVs are prone to lifter failures. These lifters are expensive and labor intensive to replace. As is common with lifter failures, the lifter usually gets the bad rap for failing,…
Mark Sarine Sterling Engine Parts, Inc. Dania Beach, FL
When reassembling late model Chrysler heads with roller follower/hydraulic lash adjuster type lifters, I found that they bleed down much faster when turned upside down. When I used the vise it would take 2 or 3 squeezes and sometimes they would still be hard. I…
Scott Ouellette Power Play Automotive Machine Wilmington, MA
Our shop has had a cam analyzer for over 28 years. Recently I was at an friends shop and had to remember how we did it in the old days. He needed to verify which of the three customer-supplied cams to install because the previous shop had ground…
Timm Jurinc Tuf-Enuf Auto & Marine Performance Avondale, AZ
On the LS engine platform, when changing camshafts, the hydraulic lifters can fall into the oil pan on performance blocks such as the LSX. Instead of plastic buckets to hold the lifters up, these engines only have anti-rotational guides, that do not hold the lifters in place.…
Joseph Jill Superior Automotive Engineering, Inc Placentia, CA
1) COIL BIND-when a spring compresses solid before or during full camshaft lift. 2) RETAINER TO SEAL BIND-the distance from the top of the valve seal to the bottom of the retainer must be greater than the valve’s lift. 3) IMPROPER VALVE TRAIN CONTROL-any weak…
Engine Pro Technical Committee with special thanks to COMP Cams
Many classes of racing require the use of stamped steel rocker arms, and many budget crate engines utilize stamped steel rocker arms. Because stamped steel rocker arms do not feature a roller bearing pivot, stamped steel rocker arms generate more friction. As a result, improper…
Engine Pro Technical Committee with special thanks to Lake Speed Jr. and Driven Racing Oils
To check lifter bores for finish, burrs or obstruction, I made tools by removing the plunger and internal parts from some lifters. I have a set of various “empty” lifters, specific to application. You can stick the lifter on the end of your finger then slide it,…
Herb Glaseman Spring, TX