Inliners International Forums General Discussion Engines Chevy 235 Hydraulic Lifters Question

I just bought a 58-62 235 with hydraulic lifters. It ran when pulled, but has been sitting for a few years I started going through and changing a few gaskets on it. When I pulled the pushrod cover, I noticed 3 U shaped clips just sitting in there.





What would have caused the lifters to top out and push the clips out? Hopefully this is minor, but before I try to fire it up I'd certainly like to know.

Thanks

Even though it looks like a minor mishap, it is quite common for later hydraulic cammed engines to also have this happen occassionally. If you are planning to reuse the lifters, just make sure the bottoms of the lifters aren't showing signs of excessive wear, and you should be able to just reinstall the clips into the lifter body.

Is there any way to if this is what happened? Am I right in assuming if this was the case, there would be a gap between the lifter and the cam?

Looking at your pictures, it appears you have rust on your lifters and pushrods. I'd suggest that you examine the rest of the internal parts before starting. Might save you some headaches later.

Dear Mooe;

Ya know; As cheap and easy (as it is now)
just install a whole new lifter set.

Patrick's will have them 'in sock'.

Then wait till your ready to "fire it up"
before you install the rocker assembly.
Priming the pump and turning it over (plugs
out) would help too.

Good luck.

PS: No there's never a "gap" between the
lifter and camshaft. That's another story.