Lifter replacement

inertia said

I used to pre-soak lifters cuz I read it in a book.
Then, after assembling a coupla engines, - cranking to fire, but had no compression.
I had to back the rocker shafts off to get the valves to close, then once running, slowly re-tighten rocker shafts down.
Haven't pre-filled since, - dozens of engines ago.
My $ .02.

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x2. That was the 80s when I was in my teens and just starting out. You check for preload during assembly, before the intake goes on. Preload is not affected by lifter filling, or shouldn't be... My steps: Verify lifter rotation with only WD40 and no pushrods in place. Once they all turn, I assemble the top end dry , and sans head gasket. Measure preload (distance between the retaining ring and top of plunger), subtract the gasket compressed thickness, and I have my preload. On engines that were not machined by my shop, I will do cylinders 1,7,2,and 4. If it was machined to my specs, I'll only do cylinders 1 and 2.