[Scott 1970 SS 396]

Hello Guys-I should have checked the engine experts here first, but i ordered a set of Johnson roller lifters 2112BB big block standard travel lifters to replace a noise set from Comp cams kit K11-422-8.The original L34 engine was rebuilt about 1500 miles ago.It runs strong.If the new Johnson lifters and the old Comp cam are compatible,is there anything special to do to prep the lifters and cam besides following Johnsons instructions?I am a back yard mechanic and have read and watched some videos on how to install roller lifters.It looks pretty strait forward or am I missing something?Thanks-Scott

 

[69velle]

I just called Johnson on a set of 2112SBR. Their instructions were to wipe off the cardboard dust with a lint free cloth, add oil to the needle bearings and lifter bores if I want, install with link bar towards middle of engine, measure for pushrods and fire up. The cautionary side of me says to run an oil prime after installing the intake.

 

[77 cruiser]

If your pushrods were the right length before, you might want to check & see if the pushrod cups are the same height.

 

[Scott 1970 SS 396]

If your pushrods were the right length before, you might want to check & see if the pushrod cups are the same height.

Jim- I am not sure what you mean?

 

[lucifershammer]

Hi Scott.

What Jim is talking about is the seat height. Here's a picture I cropped from the Crower documentation that shows it well.

What you need to do is measure from the tip of the roller to the bottom of the seat. As long as your pushrod length was correct before, if the seat height is the same on your new lifter as it was on your old lifter, you can use the same pushrods. If the seat height is taller on the new ones, you need shorter pushrods, and if the seat height is shorter on the new ones, you need longer pushrods.

Typically, I see that seat height is measured by putting a 5/16" ball into the pushrod seat and measuring from the top of the ball to the tip of the roller, and then subtracting the 5/16" to get the actual seat height itself. When you compare specs if you aren't measuring yourself, you just need to know are they telling you the actual seat height, or the top of the ball height and what the size of the ball they used is.

Hope this helps!

 

[David Bates]

^^^ That's an excellent explanation. No guesswork there.

 

[Malibu ss 64]

Use scotts video to check the pushrods/valvetrain geometry if you never did the first time.

Valve train geometry/pushrod length video link from...

here it is for all to see and enjoy. This is the Right Way to do this. Others are the suck. Please start a new thread with an appropriate title if there's questions about this procedure.

www.chevelles.com

 

[Scott 1970 SS 396]

Thanks guys!

 

[Scott 1970 SS 396]

Hello Guys-I measured the seat height of the Johnson lifters and it is the same as the Comp Cams lifter.I am not exactly sure how to ask the question but I would like to get the preload correct.Johnson said it should be .035 +/- .10.I have ARP 135-7101 7/16-20 in. rocker studs with Crower 86050S-16 rocker nuts.Can I simply turn down the nut a half turn -full turn etc. to get the preload?Anyone know how much to turn the nut?Thanks for your help-Scott

 

[Georgia69]

Hydraulic rollers on an engine where block and/or heads may have been surfaced almost always require custom length pushrods to be right.

 

[lucifershammer]

Hello Guys-I measured the seat height of the Johnson lifters and it is the same as the Comp Cams lifter.I am not exactly sure how to ask the question but I would like to get the preload correct.Johnson said it should be .035 +/- .10.I have ARP 135-7101 7/16-20 in. rocker studs with Crower 86050S-16 rocker nuts.Can I simply turn down the nut a half turn -full turn etc. to get the preload?Anyone know how much to turn the nut?Thanks for your help-Scott

Hey Scott.

One full turn of the nut would be .050" at the stud.

 

[CamKing]

Hello Guys-I measured the seat height of the Johnson lifters and it is the same as the Comp Cams lifter.I am not exactly sure how to ask the question but I would like to get the preload correct.Johnson said it should be .035 +/- .10.I have ARP 135-7101 7/16-20 in. rocker studs with Crower 86050S-16 rocker nuts.Can I simply turn down the nut a half turn -full turn etc. to get the preload?Anyone know how much to turn the nut?Thanks for your help-Scott

3/4 turn is .0375" pre-load.
Set them between 1/2 and 3/4 turn.

 

[Scott 1970 SS 396]

Thank you guys!

 

[Scott 1970 SS 396]

Installed the Johnson lifters.Put a hundred miles on engine.They sound great As in no strange clacking noise as the Comp cams lifters had.

 

[shovelrick]

Scott what grade oil are you using? and is it the same as with the Comp lifters?

 

[69velle]

Same here. I don’t quite have 100 miles on my Johnson’s yet, but I get no more clacks in start up after 15 years of chasing the problem. Did your exhaust note change at all? I can’t explain it, but mine did.

 

[Aaron]

Some people soak lifters in like a coffee can or large container before installing. I don't know if written or verbal instructions from others even saying that. I dont know if that is even needed now with some brands.

You didnt say why you had to change lifters. A failure would explain that, but you didn't say. If its the sound coming from the engine. Comp Xtreme line is always noisy. Im not sure changing lifters would even help with that brand and line of camshaft.

I would not compare old muscle cars to newer cars though. Character traits would come into question. None of that thinking even works.

 

[Scott 1970 SS 396]

I have been using 10-30 full synthetic,with old lifters and new lifters.The exhaust sounds the same to me.Aaron,the lifters were too noise in my opinion is why I changed them.I did not prime the lifters before start up.When the engine started there was about 2 second of noise from the lifters and then smooth and quite.

 

[Aaron]

I have been using 10-30 full synthetic,with old lifters and new lifters.The exhaust sounds the same to me.Aaron,the lifters were too noise in my opinion is why I changed them.I did not prime the lifters before start up.When the engine started there was about 2 second of noise from the lifters and then smooth and quite.

Ok. I would ask though who told you to change them? A professional? This forum just a source automotive understanding and help. I dont want to get into this anymore. Talk to other people who this a for a living. I dont have time, I have got get busy, got work to do.

 

[69-CHVL]

Good to hear the problem was resolved, that’s a lot of money to spend. As I’ve mentioned many times before, I have the exact opposite problem with my lifters. These are the morels 4602?’s and They are quiet when I first start up the motor, and then they get loud, real loud, as the engine gets warmer and warmer. It is the loudest thing on my car But admittedly, I do have relatively quiet mufflers. I am running the Comp Cams XE cams which despite its reputation is the quietest cam I’ve run. If the cam was the problem it would be loud from when I first start it up and from there on. Not the case. Love the cam, hate the lifters. Maybe I’ll spring for the Johnson’s at some point. Just getting tired of spending money again and again on the same stuff.