New lifters

[BigWeeeze]

Hi there!

I'm currently cleaning up the top end of a manky M44 in my Z3, and a couple of the hydraulic lifters were scored and not really holding oil very well.

I have bypassed the Mrs and bought a full set of 16 x Febi Bilstein lifters to eliminate any doubt in the others.

They come in little pouches with a thin oil to keep them from rusting / drying up i assume?

What is the best procedure for installing these into the head? I have seen conflicting advice online, some saying clean and soak in oil overnight, some saying pre-fill them with oil, some saying not to...

I understand that there will be a ticking noise until they are pressurised and fully adjusted on start up, but they seem fairly stiff as they are right now before touching them.

Any advice on this would be much appreciated

 

[IainP]

If they were scored you have dirt in there, assuming you have the head off I power wash it, paying attention to getting into all the oil ways from as many points as possible, then blow through with compressed air followed by light oil e.g. WD40 or whatever. If you know anyone with a gun cleaning kit, .22/5.56 are perfect for cleaning out oilways, that’s what I’ve used for decades.
Any kind of hydraulic lifter/tappet I prefer to pre-fill, or soak, in whatever oil I’m going to fill the engine in.
When fitting I always use plenty of oil, I know of at least one person jamming a tappet trying to fit it dry.
It will be tappety on start up, but pre-filling gives the whole system an easier job and I would prefer that.