Help: Roller Lifters prep before installing
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2009
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From: Ottawa, Ontario
and survey says....?
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 651
Likes: 72
From: Harleysville, PA
Appreciate all your insight, I'm cleaning lifters with acetone, blow dry, submerge in my choice of engine oil Mobil 1 V-Twin 20w 50, followed by liberal coat of assembly lube on cam lobes & inside cam bearings. I agree, over prepping & oiling is a good thing, as I'm not a custom to roller lifters.
Original concern was the lifter roller not rotating around cam lobe, was thinking assembly lube might keep roller from rotating or tracking causing flat spots. That was previously addressed, got it!
Cheers!
B Bop
2012 FLHR (Road King) Ember Red Sunglo & Merlo
Cruise Control, ABS, Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced Spoke Tubeless Wheels, Security Package, Saddle Bag LED Lid Spoilers, and an array of accessories that enhances nostalgic appearance & blood curdling performance.
No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Original concern was the lifter roller not rotating around cam lobe, was thinking assembly lube might keep roller from rotating or tracking causing flat spots. That was previously addressed, got it!
Cheers!
B Bop
2012 FLHR (Road King) Ember Red Sunglo & Merlo
Cruise Control, ABS, Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced Spoke Tubeless Wheels, Security Package, Saddle Bag LED Lid Spoilers, and an array of accessories that enhances nostalgic appearance & blood curdling performance.
No man's life, liberty, or property is safe while the legislature is in session.
Last edited by B Bop; Mar 5, 2017 at 03:50 PM.
Stellar HDF Member
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,489
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From: Osoyoos B C Canada
Copy and paste from the 09 service manual
PUSH RODS, LIFTERS AND COVERS
1. Remove any labels used on the hydraulic lifters. Install
lifters in the crankcase bores with the oil hole on the
inboard side and the flats on the lifters facing forward and
rearward. To avoid damage, do not drop lifters onto cam
lobes.
2. See Figure 3-40. Place the anti-rotational pin (4) on the
machined flat between the blocks cast into the crankcase.
Dave
PUSH RODS, LIFTERS AND COVERS
1. Remove any labels used on the hydraulic lifters. Install
lifters in the crankcase bores with the oil hole on the
inboard side and the flats on the lifters facing forward and
rearward. To avoid damage, do not drop lifters onto cam
lobes.
2. See Figure 3-40. Place the anti-rotational pin (4) on the
machined flat between the blocks cast into the crankcase.
Dave
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,216
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From: Central Illinois
I think the only H-D part install more contentious than lifters is the SE vs stock exhaust gasket debate. (Hdforum members are flat out petrified of SE exhaust gaskets btw, for bogus reasons)
I have installed literally thousands of lifters over many years, most were Chevy small and big blocks so no rollers. But the roller just makes the lifter perform better and easier to install and specialized assembly lube is NOT needed on rollers.
Most important thing on lifters is to pre-fill them using a standard small hand held pump oil can you can get anywhere for a few bucks. Use the oil you will be using in the engine, stick the nozzle against the hole in the side of the lifter (has the groove going around it) and pump away till oil comes out the hole in the top seat or you can't pump any more in. The oil running down the side while pumping can be rubbed around the lifter, shoot a pump or 2 in the roller and on the seat and install. That is all there is to it. If you have the assembly lube OCD then use STP on the cam lobes, but oil the roller too.
You don't have to wait to adjust the pushrods on whichever cylinder you start with, but wait about 10-15 minutes before rotating to the next cylinder, or till the pushrods can be turned by hand (after adjustment of course).
I have installed literally thousands of lifters over many years, most were Chevy small and big blocks so no rollers. But the roller just makes the lifter perform better and easier to install and specialized assembly lube is NOT needed on rollers.
Most important thing on lifters is to pre-fill them using a standard small hand held pump oil can you can get anywhere for a few bucks. Use the oil you will be using in the engine, stick the nozzle against the hole in the side of the lifter (has the groove going around it) and pump away till oil comes out the hole in the top seat or you can't pump any more in. The oil running down the side while pumping can be rubbed around the lifter, shoot a pump or 2 in the roller and on the seat and install. That is all there is to it. If you have the assembly lube OCD then use STP on the cam lobes, but oil the roller too.
You don't have to wait to adjust the pushrods on whichever cylinder you start with, but wait about 10-15 minutes before rotating to the next cylinder, or till the pushrods can be turned by hand (after adjustment of course).
Last edited by Guntoter; Mar 5, 2017 at 04:58 PM.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 651
Likes: 72
From: Harleysville, PA
I agree with pumping up lifters with oil using "hand held oiler" there is a YouTube video showing this procedure. I located a small size oiler from Harbor Freight just big enough to pump oil into lifter inlet hole. Pump oil overflowing from top of lifter continuously until all air bubbles are gone. Ready to install.
Buuuuut then saw another video showing to clean dry & soak lifters in favorite oil & install. Not sure if option above is an overkill or not should be up to the installer, either way should work fine.
Leaning more towards pre-pumping lifters up...
Any pro's or con's?
B Bop
2012 FLHR (Road King) Ember Red Sunglo & Merlo
Cruise Control, ABS, Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced Spoke Tubeless Wheels, Security Package, Saddle Bag LED Lid Spoilers, and an array of accessories that enhances nostalgic appearance & blood curdling performance.
Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Buuuuut then saw another video showing to clean dry & soak lifters in favorite oil & install. Not sure if option above is an overkill or not should be up to the installer, either way should work fine.
Leaning more towards pre-pumping lifters up...
Any pro's or con's?
B Bop
2012 FLHR (Road King) Ember Red Sunglo & Merlo
Cruise Control, ABS, Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced Spoke Tubeless Wheels, Security Package, Saddle Bag LED Lid Spoilers, and an array of accessories that enhances nostalgic appearance & blood curdling performance.
Do not argue with an idiot. He will drag you down to his level and beat you with experience.
Last edited by B Bop; Mar 6, 2017 at 07:48 PM.
Club Member
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I'm no expert mechanic. I'm just a self taught, at home mechanic. I guess I don't see a need to pump up the lifters or soak them in oil. I did a 98" big bore a couple years ago and I just whipped them down, put a little assembly lube on them and installed them. When you start the engine they pump up in a matter of seconds. The assembly lube will protect the moving parts just fine for a few seconds. It might sound like hell but I'm sure it's just fine.
Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: SW Ohio
as I said before. Lifters are directional. at least on the 88ci. Ill consult my service manual on my 103 when I get home from work.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ljgWAgb0E
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7ljgWAgb0E
Woods makes directional lifters but that's not what we're talking about.
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Road Captain
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 651
Likes: 72
From: Harleysville, PA
I'm no expert mechanic. I'm just a self taught, at home mechanic. I guess I don't see a need to pump up the lifters or soak them in oil. I did a 98" big bore a couple years ago and I just whipped them down, put a little assembly lube on them and installed them. When you start the engine they pump up in a matter of seconds. The assembly lube will protect the moving parts just fine for a few seconds. It might sound like hell but I'm sure it's just fine.
I do see this though as not a problem to anyone but myself....
I'm a work in progress! "Thanks for every ones help"
B Bop
2012 FLHR (Road King) Ember Red Sunglo & Merlo
Cruise Control, ABS, Chrome Aluminum Profile Laced Spoke Tubeless Wheels, Security Package, Saddle Bag LED Lid Spoilers, and an array of accessories that enhances nostalgic appearance & blood curdling performance.
A politician is a fellow who will lay down your life for his country.
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Seasoned HDF Member
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Lake, Ms
Quickest way to oil the system before start up is to pull spark plugs, unplug throttle control actuator and spin the motor over for 15-20 second intervals. Do this until you see oil pressure start to build and your lifters will be primed for the most part. Your OCD has you overly concerned about nothing in this particular situation.
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