So, I am rebuilding my top end and I am trying to figure out the lifters and setting the pushrods. Do I have to pump up the lifters? They are S&S lifters.

 

LIfters come filled with a light grade oil, so no, no need to pump up. They will rattle for a minute or so on the first start up while the light oil is pushed out and the motor oil is pumped in. Some go an extra step and "prime" the lifters with a vacuum pump, some let them soak in motor oil prior to start up but I drop them in, adjust and fire up the motor and let them rattle briefly.

Lots of videos on adjusting the push rods; just need to search. Most important to know is the push rod TPI (threads per inch), adjusting with piston at TDC on the compression stroke and setting pre load between .125" and .135".

 

Thanks for the reply. I have done them from new, but this time, I am just rebuilding the top end and wasn't planning on removing the lifters. That is where I am and trying to figure out if they are pumped up or if I have to pump them again? Or is the spring pressure enough to to push them up and start the setting of push rods?

 

Go ahead and adjust; you will be fine.

 

Thanks!

 

two schools of thought.
if the lifter has no oil, sometimes it is hard to determine if the cup is against the keeper clip and spring pressure will collapse the lifter.
one way is to have the lifter collapsed, adjust the p/r till you see the valve start to open then back off the adjustment to the desired setting by counting flats knowing tpi.
the other way is to make sure the lifter is unloaded and adjust the distance between the lifter cup and its keeper .030>.050. you do not want the cup and keeper to strike as the keeper will fail.