new lifters

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moparguy

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What are some different ways to prime or "pump up" new hydraulic lifters?
 
I just stand mine upright in a clean coffee can, pour a quart of oil in and let them set over night. When the engine is started they may tick for a minute or less.
 
I have adjustable rockers, if i did it this way, would they be pumped up enough to set at 1/2 turn past zero lash?
 
I usually also put them one at a time in a can with oil covering the lifters, then push the lifter plunger down slowly and release it about a half dozen times. This expels the air and sucks the oil in. Never had a problem doing it this way.
 
I'm a little ignorant about lifters. To push the plunger do i need a paper clip or a piece of wire to poke through the top of just push the top of the lifter with my fingers?
 
just push the lifter top with a pushrod. itll push out the air and fill with oil. then drop it in the motor. olddemons right
 
The generally accepted practice is not to prime them. You can do more harm (holding a valve off the seat until the lifter bleeds down) to the engine at start up by priming than from the rattling of loose lifters for a second or two.

Coat the bottom with cam break in lube and the sides with motor oil and drop them in.
 
I have a Mopar book that says not priming the lifters will make an engine with a radical cam easier to start because it effectively reduces the lift & duration of the cam. Less chance of the break in lube getting wiped off of the lobes before the engine fires up. The sooner a new engine starts, the sooner the cam gets oil.
 
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