1971 FLH
Is there a way to determine if a lifter is hydraulic or solid by looking at it?
I'm having trouble getting the lifter block off.

 

That is a hydraulic lifter. Make sure and keep the lifter and tappet together and don't mix them.

Lifter block won't come off? When was the last time the motor was taken apart? The lifter block has a gasket under it. The gasket is probably what is keep the block from coming off. If it has been on there a while, the gasket sealer used has hardened. Try a thin putty knife between the block and engine case. Just don't gough it.

 

Bike had about 10k on it but the front head was changed and a heli- coil installed in the plug hole. Bike was abused by po he was a great welder but strong armed when it came to the bike.
I'm soaking the lifter block gasket and using a brass drift to tap it . Being careful , time will work.
Thanks for the reply.

 

we use a big plastic hammer and give it a good whack

 

What John said, some of the old big thick gaskets sometimes don't like to let go without a bit of persuasion.

 

I thought that was a tappet.

 

Lifter is the insert that goes inside the tappet which rides on the cam, google tappet it'll explain.

 

Reason I asked was one of the pushrods was adjusted all the way out and I didn't have to touch the adjustment to remove it. Filled it it on the bench and blocked the hole and wasn't able to depress it until I removed my finger. I know the valve spring is much tougher than my finger but the lifter seemed to hold pressure ok. Maybe dirt was blocking the oil passage and it was adjusted like a solid? .I'm able to buy a single lifter if needed. lobes and lifters don't show any wear.

 

its looseness of the roller that is the issue - can you feel any in and out when pulling / pushing on the tappets roller / after washing it totally clean and dry

as a side note the roller wheel sides become scratched when the lifter roller is at time to replace, even when it has no play its turning enough to hit the lifter sides, this is showing needle bearing and or pin wear

 

Thanks for the info ( again ) I'll check for that wear later.