Date:         Fri, 26 Oct 2012 09:58:34 -0400
Reply-To:     David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Sender:       Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From:         David Beierl <dbeierl@ATTGLOBAL.NET>
Subject:      Re: 2.1 hydraulic lifter rebuild kit available?
Comments: To: Jim Felder <jim.felder@GMAIL.COM>
In-Reply-To:  <CAFnDXk2CX7_W-oqtw7mK1C0D1rHD6qAdqrVY9kmLGrGysHW4aA@mail.g
              mail.com>
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At 07:34 AM 10/26/2012, Jim Felder wrote:
>I see hydraulic lifters for the 2.1 priced about $20 each. That's a lot of
>money when you consider that all a lifter is likely to need is a rubber
>seal costing a few cents. Has anyone successfully rebuilt lifters, and are
>the rebuild kits still available?
>
>Jim

Lifters don't have rubber seals.  The piston is fitted to the bore
with a ridiculously small but carefully controlled clearance.  I
wouldn't be at all surprised if pistons were *not* interchangeable
from one lifter to another.

They're well worth $20 each.

Don't change them unless you have to though, because a new cam and a
new lifter like to be run in together, so they work harden each other
equally.  Putting a new lifter on an old camshaft is less than optimal.

If they're sticky I suggest using the Bentley method for priming,
using a push rod end or similar and a soft-faced vise, to force MMO
and/or other solvent through the gap.

Yours,
David