Club 80-90 Forums

ah, so this was the problem before you started to work on the lifters, so not a new issue.

Have you had a leak test done, as well as a compression test and are you getting 150 psi on all cylinders

How about if the collapsed lifter doesn't open the exhaust so the exhaust gases blow by the piston rings and out the carb or something like that??

An issue that was present and two garages suggested lifters. I could only replace 4 as 4 will not budge the little buggers. 150psi all round yes. Haven't done a leak down as don't have the kit but think I'll try running engine with one plug out in turn see if that shows which cylinder is popping? I'm really thinking exhaust valve not opening so after ignition gases go nowhere until they pop out the open inlet valve. Make sense?

Found the problem (pretty sure) - exhaust valve on No 2 cylinder not opening as lifter is totally FUBAR. Loosen the spark plug on this cylinder and popping goes away unlike the other 3. I guess this means back to the original question, how to get the bloody lifter out?! Lol. This one just goes "clack" when half way out suggesting the head is seriously mushroomed. Engine out? Subaru time?
Why is the engine so quiet and lovely at tickover though? Hmmm..

There's not as much air flow at tickover.

Sorry I can't help you with advice on getting hydraulic tappets out in situ as I haven't done it, best listen to those who have. My only thoughts would be more powerful magnet to rotate when you pull, or perhaps some heat on the case, aluminium expands more than steel.

I did buy a silly strength magnet which got an extra one out but this collapsed one is not playing ball!
Many YouTube videos later .....
Remove the circlip from the end with screwdriver, use magnet to take out the plunger then pop in a rawlbolt / anchor bolt type thing to grip the inside. Here's the vid: -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Mvr7peX7Ns" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Off to find a suitable rawlbolt tomorrow. Watch this space if anyone is still listening, lol...

Time to get brutal! I dismantled the lifter in position to leave a hole to get to grips with. Used an 8 mm anchor bolt attached to a slide hammer to drag the bloody thing out. Destroyed 2 anchor bolts in the process and took about 2 hours. There was slight mushrooming around the head of the lifter causing the problem. Cam looks fine though. There is a bit of scoring to the lifter bore but nothing too serious. Used some fine wet and dry and cleaned out the bore. New lifter slides in nicely. I guess I've shortened the lifespan of the new lifter/bore assembly but better option than a new engine or dismantling.

Anyway, engine runs absolutely tip top. Time for an oil change to get red of mettaly bits, readjust tappets and enjoy the thing for the first time in ages.
Thanks for all the help..

Excellent news
well done

Glad you got it sorted Savara

Brilliant news

That's quite an achievement. How hard was it to dismantle the lifter in situ? Was it the sort with the wire clip holding the plunger in?

Cheers all. I feel somewhat triumphant The worst thing was worrying about the wire clip disappearing somewhere really not welcome. I used a small slotted screwdriver with one of the hefty magnets I tried to use initially attached to it. The thing popped off and went straight for the magnet. Phew. The rest of the innards just slid out with the magnet.
The lifter itself had a hole in the top! Lol. Not much oil pressure there then

Savara wrote: The lifter itself had a hole in the top! Lol. Not much oil pressure there then

Wow - has that just worn through?

got any pics of the duff lifter?

link to lifter pic is 2 posts up from yours itchy