Anatomy of a hydraulic lifter...

[Deyomatic]

Just wondering what, typically, is inside a hydraulic lifter? I'm planning on putting some used lifters in my late model tomorrow and what I've been reading says that after cleaning them with brakleen, I should soak them in oil, both of which have been done. It then says to use a paper clip in the top of the lifter to depress the assembly inside. I can't find a paper clip that is large enough that it won't bend under pressure but still fit in the hole. I snipped the tip off of a needle and it sort of worked, but it doesn't seem to spring up.

Just curious.

Thanks.

[ESnacky6]

I am probably wrong, because I'm 'generally' fairly
clueless/easily confused to the inner particulars of engines...
but, I thought you really shouldn't 're-use' used lifters
because they will wear your cam down real quick if the two
(camshaft/lifters) weren't 'broken in' together..??
or it's the other way around...??(or both..??)
you can't just put a new camshaft in because the lifters will
wear it down real fast since they weren't 'broken in' together..??

All I do know is that I had a couple lifters fail on my nailhead
about 2-1/2 yrs. ago, and we went ahead and rebuilt the engine
because of the 'don't just put new lifters in,
you gotta put a new camshaft in too' thing.....
and we figured, might as well rebuild that tired ol' beast...
it wasn't cheap, but I took the advice of my friend,
and I've had no major problems so far..!!(knock on wood..!!)

But then again, I don't know the real difference between
'hydraulic lifters' and other(solid) lifters....
or newer engines at all for that matter...
so maybe it's a different theory involved..??

I can't even remember how much my new lifters cost..??
the camshaft was under $200 if I remember correctly...
lifters around $100 maybe..?? $300-ish for a 'set'..??


Oh well, sorry for my rambling.....
somebody here will know the 'real' answer....
I'm looking forward the 'real' answer myself....
I enjoy learning new things around here....

Good luck..!!! Later, Snacks....

[Deyomatic]

This is for my late model (GULP) er...um...import. Just wondering what is inside them. From what I'm hearing from everyone, it is ok to toss used ones in becuase they don't actually touch the cam on this setup, or something like that.
Basically, I'm about to toss them in tomorrow because the one(s) in there are (is) ticking like mad and possibly tripping my knock sensor, causing the computer to pull the timing and make the car very boring to drive. At least, that is what I think is going on...

I was just wondering what is in them, so I might be able to figure out if these are trashed.

[Flat Ernie]

On typical V8s, I just put 'em in a coffee can full of fresh oil until the oil covers them. Then use a pushrod to pump the lifter full of oil - usually 3-5 pumps gets it full.

Don't know about imports - if there are any wear spots - they should be reinserted where they came out. The wear patterns are developed together & rapid deterioration can occur if you swap lifters around (again for American V8s here). If these are used lifters from a different engine, I'd look into getting new lifters.

You can put new lifters on an old cam, but do not put old lifters on a new cam.

All of that said, I have seen lifters that ride in buckets so they don't actually touch the cam lobes - their wear is purely up & down - no swiping or rotating like normal lifters - might be OK to reuse those types.

See what they touch - if they touch cam lobes, I would not use old lifters. If they just touch buckets & rockers, you'll prolly get away with it.

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