Collapsing Lifters To Restart Engine?

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Feb 15, 2012 | 12:36 AM

Kim72

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From: Vancouver, B.C., Canada

Collapsing Lifters To Restart Engine?

An old time mechanic, of a friend of mine, tells us that all the existing lifters on an engine, that has not been started for a long time, should be removed and collapsed before trying to restart. He claims, otherwise, we will have trouble starting the engine. While l'm no expert, l've been around cars/engines for a long time and have never heard of this. Am I missing something here? Is this the case?

Feb 15, 2012 | 12:59 AM

HamadUP

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From: Doha

St. Jude Donor '08

How can we "collapse" a lifter? did he mean to pump or prime it with oil first?

Feb 15, 2012 | 01:09 AM

tracdogg2

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From: Garland Texas

That is just nonsense.

Feb 15, 2012 | 08:16 AM

Indiancreek

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From: Oxford Ohio

I wonder if he's talking about making the push rod cup move in case it's stuck where it's been for some time?

Feb 15, 2012 | 08:44 AM

Easy Mike

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From: Southbound

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How old is your "old time mechanic"?

Feb 15, 2012 | 10:20 AM

69 Chevy

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From: Lehigh county Pennsylvania

Quote:

Originally Posted by tracdogg2

That is just nonsense.

Feb 15, 2012 | 10:35 AM

427basketcase

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From: Sacramento California

Yea, he is probably right, then after that you go to the front of the car, grab the crank and start turning it to start the engine

Feb 16, 2012 | 11:04 AM

tracdogg2

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From: Garland Texas

Trying to start an engine with collapsed lifters is much harder to do and have a good chance of spitting off a rocker arm. I think he is thinking about the lifters holding the valves open which is impossible with an assembled engine.
Mike