Replacing the lifters
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: Parker Colorado
Replacing the lifters
Hi All,
I've got a bad lifter. I've pulled the head off and all of the lifters came out easily, except for the bad one. It comes out about a 1/4 inch and gets stuck. I was going to remove the valve valley cover to see if I can see the bottom of the lifter. How do I disconnect the knock sensor connectors? Any other thoughts on how I can get this lifter out?
Thanks
Tom - 98 injured coupe
I've got a bad lifter. I've pulled the head off and all of the lifters came out easily, except for the bad one. It comes out about a 1/4 inch and gets stuck. I was going to remove the valve valley cover to see if I can see the bottom of the lifter. How do I disconnect the knock sensor connectors? Any other thoughts on how I can get this lifter out?
Thanks
Tom - 98 injured coupe
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,442
Likes: 407
From: Portland OR
It is no doubt mangled on the bottom side. Which means it would have to come out from the cam side. That means remove the engine pretty much.
If it is pulled through the lifter bore, it will damage the bore.
Ron
If it is pulled through the lifter bore, it will damage the bore.
Ron
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,203
Likes: 63
From: Staten Island NY
When you remove the valley cover, you can pop off the black plugs and unplug the connector. You can unscrew the knock sensors with a ratchet.
If the bottom end of the lifter is bad it most likely also took the cam lobe with it.
You can remove the cam with the engine in the car and "possibly" get the lifter out of the bottom - but its a gamble that it didnt scrape up the lifter bore. I would do that first before pulling the engine.
If the bottom end of the lifter is bad it most likely also took the cam lobe with it.
You can remove the cam with the engine in the car and "possibly" get the lifter out of the bottom - but its a gamble that it didnt scrape up the lifter bore. I would do that first before pulling the engine.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 653
Likes: 0
I was able to help a friend remove a damaged lifter similar to yours by removing the cam (lobe was trashed also) and carefully dropping the lifter out the bottom of the bore. We used a pair of magnet-on-a-stick on either side of the lifter to help catch it...don't want it dropping into the oil pan.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 293
Likes: 8
From: South Bend IN
I was able to help a friend remove a damaged lifter similar to yours by removing the cam (lobe was trashed also) and carefully dropping the lifter out the bottom of the bore. We used a pair of magnet-on-a-stick on either side of the lifter to help catch it...don't want it dropping into the oil pan.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 1
From: Katy TX
Been there done that, he doesn't have to remove the engine, but he does have to drop the oil pan.
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Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 43
Likes: 1
From: Parker Colorado
Thanks everyone! I'm going to start removing the other head and camshaft this weekend.Hopefully I'll get the lifter out the bottom. I'm a little encouraged by the fact that the lifter moves freely to a point, about 3/8 inch and it rotates smoothly. It feels like a needle bearing popped out the side and is blocking it from coming up. I tried using a mirror like the dentists use, on the end of a stick. My eyes are too old to tell anything useful, other than the lifter stops coming out when the bottom is even with the journal.