well i finally started my cam switch and got everything tore down and even got all the new valve springs installed but i spent most of the day trying to get the lifters out of the block. i went through every tool i could find at the local auto shops and in the end after about 5 hours and lots of sweat, blood and aching muscles i got all but 4 of the lifters out. all the lifters seem like theyre swollen or worn so much theres aridge that wont just let them slide out like theyre supposed to. so anyway, i cant get these last 4 to move higher than the initial top part of the lifter and am out of ideas...aside form removing the oil pan what can i do to get these lifters out?

The problem is you have varnish on the lifter below were the cam would lift it up. I've always managed to work them out using a small pair of channel locks. I've considered squirting carb cleaner on them, but not sure this such a good idea. Perhaps one of the old pros can help us out here.

Larry
68 C20 327 daily driver
63 C20 292 Camper truck
65 C10 ? Custom Cab AC,PB,PS,$flasher

an idea was suggested to me this morning...would heating the lifter galley with a torch enable the block to expand enough for me to get the lifters out or is this too dangerous?

I had similar frustrations when taking a set out of a 292 - I wound up using either carb cleaner or brake cleaner - I cant remember which (I may have even used both in desperation)

Do you have the oil pan off?
If so, then perhaps you can push the lifters down to get them out? How about punching them out from underneath using a bar and a hammer?

Otherwise, a little carb cleaner should get the varnish off, and then you could pull them out with a vise grips, etc...

If the lifter has mushroomed on the bottom You will have to get them to move just enough to get the cam out of the block.Then You will have to push them out the bottom of the motor. Other then that follow the first bits of info. Hope this helps }[oooooo]

thanks, ill go ahead and try the carb cleaner frist and if i still cant get them out ill just take the oil pan off and do it that way. thanks for all the help.

Been thru this a couple times, easy solution: get a li'l lacquer thinner or any other thin solvent, like nail polish remover,put the lifters down in the hole, like letting them in contact with the cam and just let the solvent goes down the lifters bore slowly. Five minutes later they will leave easy.

well i tried all the thinners and carb cleaner and stuff but they still didnt come out and i pulled all the bolts out th eoil pan but realized the engine has to be pulled in order to actually remove it. then it dawned on me that i can just remove the cylinde rhead and the tool will be able to move up with the lifter with ou tthe head blocking it. oh well live and learn..but thanks for all the help.

I would still consider removing from the bottom,if they are mushroomed,and they probably are,you could damage the lifter bore pounding them up and out,just slide them up as far as they will go and remove the cam,then push them down and retrieve them from the pan with a long handled magnet.