lifter problems on big block fords

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Jun 2, 2006 | 11:35 AM

#16

rusty70f100

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From: Iowa

Are people doing this with the valley tray installed? Wouldn't that kind of make it... nearly impossible?

Jun 2, 2006 | 12:03 PM

#17

mswift

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Thats a good point, and also brings up a concern of mine. I didn't have a valley tray when I pulled my performer 390 off. Do I need one?

Thanks,
mike

Jun 2, 2006 | 12:29 PM

#18

Hellbore

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Well, my valley pan has holes in it above each lifter, and I think the holes are about the size of a lifter to where it could fit through.

I'll have to check it out though. I'm thinking I'll take an old spare lifter and hold it with the lifter puller, and push it down in there to see if it fits past the valley pan. If it doesn't fit easily then I won't bother trying to pull the lifters this way because even if I got one out, I might not be able to get it back in lol... so basically I'll test first. Or maybe I'll get a pipe about the same diameter and push it down there to check clearances, I dunno.

That would suck if you managed to get one of the lifters out but then it got hung up on the valley pan or something and you had to just pull the intake anyway..lol...

Jun 2, 2006 | 01:16 PM

#19

rusty70f100

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From: Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by mswift

Thats a good point, and also brings up a concern of mine. I didn't have a valley tray when I pulled my performer 390 off. Do I need one?

Thanks,
mike

Need, no. Is it nice to have? Yes. It keeps returning oil out of the crank area by returning it to either end of the motor, as well as keeping some oil off the bottom of the intake.

Jun 2, 2006 | 03:12 PM

#20

bertha66

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Joined: Oct 2004

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From: Central Oregon

The lifters will go though the valley pan.

Jun 3, 2006 | 06:25 AM

#21

lee armistead

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Heh guys, pulling and moving the lifters around to remove then and then reposition them for install is quite simple with the NAPA Quickie Lifter Puller. There is one intake manifold bolt that prevent you from have a straight shot to the lifter hole. I had to set the lifter down, get on the other side of the bolt and pick it up again because of area that I cut the manifold gasket. The problem with using a strong magnet is the attraction of it to the side walls of the opening. I can see where it would be difficult to hold the lifter in position and moving it either up or down. My 390 didn't have a valley pan installed.

Jun 3, 2006 | 06:31 AM

#22

Hellbore

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Hey all I just wanted to let you know I tried this and it works! I took out a few of my lifters tonight.

I DO have a valley pan and the lifter came up and out.

I used cylindrical magnets duct-taped to the end of aluminum arrow shafts. I used 2 of them.

On the lifters that didn't fit to pull straight out, I was able to pull them up above the level of the valley pan, then reach over from the larger opening and pull them over and out the larger opening.

I didn't have to cut any gaskets, they just were able to fit the way it was.

Pretty cool I would say... save money on an intake gasket and save time and trouble...

Jun 3, 2006 | 06:42 AM

#23

lee armistead

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I think that this website is great! Of all the times over the years that I've run into problems that there was literally no where to turn, not knowing anyone that knows. Sometimes its difficult to walk through the woods without a flashlite. It's really nice to share what we have found out in these types of situations that work for us and be able to tell someone else of your success that resulted in a great savings of time as well as dollars! Now it's a matter of record!