Lifters
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,813
Likes: 1
From: JOPPA MD
I could be wrong, just going from memory myself. If I am, others here will chime in and correct me..... I am sure.
Stay in tune....
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
They are hydraulic (unless a PO changed them to solids). You can set the hydraulic lifters 'cold' (engine not running) or 'hot' (engine running). IMO, it is best to set them cold so that the running engine always has the proper lifter adjustment.
There are a lot of folks who are confused by the cold setting procedure, so I'm going to include this tidbit for you. Once you rotate the engine so that the valve you are adjusting is in "closed" position, you can begin to tighten the adjustment nut. While you are tightening it, hold the pushrod in the fingers of your other hand and shake it up and down (rather than 'spin' it). When the adjustment is too loose, there will be slack felt in the pushrod. When that slack just disappears is the 'Zero Lash' point. Now, all you need to do as to further tighten that nut 1/2 - 1 full turn to properly set the lifter piston to the center of its travel. (GM says 1 turn; engine 'gurus' say 1/2 turn; I set it a 3/4 turn.)
There are a lot of folks who are confused by the cold setting procedure, so I'm going to include this tidbit for you. Once you rotate the engine so that the valve you are adjusting is in "closed" position, you can begin to tighten the adjustment nut. While you are tightening it, hold the pushrod in the fingers of your other hand and shake it up and down (rather than 'spin' it). When the adjustment is too loose, there will be slack felt in the pushrod. When that slack just disappears is the 'Zero Lash' point. Now, all you need to do as to further tighten that nut 1/2 - 1 full turn to properly set the lifter piston to the center of its travel. (GM says 1 turn; engine 'gurus' say 1/2 turn; I set it a 3/4 turn.)
