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Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters

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Old Nov 27, 2003 | 12:14 AM
  #1  
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Default Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters

Interesting. It seems everyone that hasn't used them hates them. Most that have used them like them. If they didn't like them it was due to the noise. I've read a few articles and they DO seem to work as advertiesed.

I'm considering the Crane version of these as they are supposed to be considerably quieter. Does anyone have any personal experience or have you read any good articles reviewing these?
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Old Nov 27, 2003 | 12:19 AM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (blunsford)

i rebuilt my engine back in the mid eighties with them(Rhodes Lifters). I was so proud of getting the engine togther. I went cruising around and some dudes pulled up to the light next to me and started laughing at the sound they were making.

I guess it sounded like a diesel, but never really bothered me that much.




[Modified by turtlevette, 12:20 AM 11/27/2003]
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Old Nov 27, 2003 | 12:36 AM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (blunsford)

I have the crane version. They are quiet enough that you wouldn't know they are there.
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Old Nov 27, 2003 | 12:39 AM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (MarkO)

How well do they work?
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Old Nov 27, 2003 | 05:51 AM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (blunsford)

I built the motor with the rhoads in there so I have no point of reference. I used them to give more vacuum at idle. Headlights operate just fine. Just like standard hydraulic lifters but they rattle a bit at lower revs. No other problems. :cheers:
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Old Nov 27, 2003 | 10:36 AM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (RHD '68 L89)

ran Rhoads long time ago i liked them, i blieve the crane use a looser piston
clearance to releave some pressure, the rhoads have a timed slot in them
to bleed off the faster the lifter moves the less time it has to bleed off..
LIE tellem' it's a solid, smokem, and not have to adjust....
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Old Nov 27, 2003 | 11:20 AM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (blunsford)

I have built two big blocks with them and love them. No problem with vacuum and love the solid lifter sound. Whats an early hiperformance C3 without the clicking. :D
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Old Nov 27, 2003 | 09:01 PM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (vettemack)

I just put them in my car. They sound like solids, like the car did new. I do think they help boost my vacuum.

Dwayne
:cheers:
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Old Dec 7, 2003 | 11:22 PM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (blunsford)

I ran the Rhoads on a 298 degree cam which idled smooth at 550 in drive. Lots of vacuum and quite a bit of niose.


1976 406 TH400 3000 stall switch pitch, nitrous, 4.11 gears

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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 02:35 AM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (jimtreber)

Is this what CompCams ProMagnum lifters are? If so, I have 'em, I bought them mostly for high-RPM safety. I have no problem with the extra noise :D
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 11:09 AM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (blunsford)

I used the Crane Hi-Intensity for about 50,000 miles with the 272 & 278 power max Crane cams.

They were in the motor from day one so I can't tell you a before and after.

I will say that motor oil pressure and oil weight would have a big effect on bleed off.
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 12:56 PM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (gkull)

Is there an ideal oil weight for these lifters?
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Old Dec 8, 2003 | 01:28 PM
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Default Re: Variable hydraulic lifters ie Rhoads Lifters (RUXperienced)

Oil weight required in any motor is a function of Horse Power and oil temp.

You don't want to run oil thicker or under more pressure than is required to keep your crank shaft and cam from touching it's bearing surfaces.

So without an oil temp gauge and knowing the typical operating pressure everything would be a guess.

But if your motor drops to sub 30 psi at hot idle 5W-30 will allow total bleed off. 10W-30 & 10W40 would be somewhat less. Then on the other end 20W50 and a high vol pump and they probably don't work at all.
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