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HydLifters_11

How do I Adjust Hydraulic Lifters for Proper Preload?


In order to adjust the preload the lifter must be properly located on the base circle or "Heel" of the lobe. At this position the valve is closed and there is no lift taking place. You will need to watch the movement of the valves to determine which lifter is properly positioned for adjusting.

1. Remove the valve covers, and pick a cylinder you are going to set the preload on.

2. Hand rotate the engine in its normal direction of rotation and watch the exhaust valve on that particular cylinder. When the exhaust valve begins to open, stop and adjust that cylinder's intake rocker arm. (Why? Because when the exhaust valve is just beginning to open, the intake lifter will be on the base circle of the lobe, the correct position for adjusting the intake.)

3. Back off the intake rocker arm adjuster and remove any tension from the pushrod. Wait a minute or two for that hydraulic lifter to return to a neutral position. The spring inside the lifter will move the pushrod seat up against the retaining lock if you give it time to do so. (If you are installing brand new lifters they will be in the neutral position when they come in the box.)

4. Now spin the intake pushrod with your fingers while tightening down the rocker arm. When you feel a slight resistance to the turning of the pushrod, you are at "Zero Lash". Turn the adjusting nut down one half to one full turn from that point. Lock the adjuster into position. The intake is now adjusted properly.

5. Continue to hand turn the engine, watching that same intake. It will go to full open and then begin to close. When it is almost closed, stop and adjust the exhaust rocker arm on that particular cylinder. (Again, when we see the intake almost closed, we are sure that exhaust lifter is on the base circle of the lobe.) Loosen the exhaust rocker arm and follow the same procedure described before in steps 3 and 4 to adjust this rocker arm.

6. Both valves on this cylinder are now adjusted, and you can move on to your next cylinder and follow the same procedure again.

Camshaft Break-In

Click to read more:

Flat Tappet Camshaft Break-In Procedure

Reasons and Causes for Cam Failure

Holden V8 Cams

Powering Australia’s TOUGHEST HOLDEN V8s for over 30 years!

**UPDATED 1/8/16**

>>Download The Holden V8 Cam Listing!

>>Cams Roller Lifters For Holden V8 Engines

Blue Racer Cams

>>Computer-Designed Cams for Street Performance!

>>Download the Blue Racer Cam Listing here!

New Products

New Product—Break-In Engine Oil 10W-40

NEW Viton Seals

New Hi6RC

New Hydraulic Roller Lifters

ULTRA-PRO™ ROLLER LIFTERS

GOLD RACE™ Rockers

Tech Bulletins

Currently Available Bulletins:

 

NEW - Flat Tappet Camshaft Break-in Procedure

 

NEW - Reasons and Causes for Cam Failure

 

New Aluminium Roller Rocker Arms Available

 

New Generation Of Enhanced Hydraulic Roller Lifters

 

Steel Distributor Gears for use with Cast or Billet Cams

 

Flat Tappet Camshaft Break-in Procedure

 

Adjusting Hydraulic Lifter Pre-load

 

Three Distributor Models Cover Most Everything from Street to Speedway!

 

Ignitions for Racing and Street Applications

 

Cam & Lifter Recommendations

 

Crane’s Always Known How to Make Cams Go Rump, Whap and Thump!

 

Valve Spring Retainer Height Chart!

 

Mechanical Roller Lifters For Street & Competition!

 

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Automotive Performance Distributors Pty. Ltd.(Formerly Crane Technologies Pty. Ltd) was set up in 1997 as a Joint Venture with Crane Cams in the USA, to distribute the range of Crane products to retailers & wholesalers throughout Australia.

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