Lifters, solid or not solid? Options

[Kemo]

All,

i have the top end off my 73 1.7 and im going to the 1.9 slip fit from Auto Atlanta and i was wondering about the different lifter options. the ones i have look really good without any visual damage. But im a little worried about how "springy" they are. i took a push rod and just pressed down a few of the lifters and was wondering if this is something i should address while things are apart.

Should i buy new stock lifters? What is a "solid" lifter? (sounds dangerous)

not sure what a hydraulic lifter is...any info is very helpful.

this is my first go round with a 4cylinder 914 motor.

thanks!!

Steve

[mepstein]

914’s should have solid lifters. Hydro lifters are for lower revving bus engines.

[brant]

Sounds like hydraulic lifters are on your engine

You have to reuse them in the exact sequence they were for matched wear

You can’t put new lifters in without changing the cam,rebuilding the bottom end

You are giving up performance. Especially at higher rpm with hydraulic lifters

[930cabman]

camshafts and lifters work closely and can degrade quickly if not installed correctly. Consider purchasing a kit, matching cam/lifters. This is one place where you do not want to save a couple $$

[Kemo]

ive got them bagged and marked so i can reinstall in the same hole...it sounds like i would need to install a new cam if i replace any of the lifters. is there a way to "test" the lifter? like i said, i just kinda pushed down on the springy side of things and started pondering all this.

[emerygt350]

They don't have much resistance until the oil pumps them up.

[Root_Werks]

They don't have much resistance until the oil pumps them up.

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The "test" is to simply see if you can push down and it comes back up. Lots of times sludge will prevent lifters from pumping up in a timely or not at all fashion.

[914sgofast2]

Test them by putting a lifter in a plastic cup with enough oil in it to cover the top of the lifter. Push the top of the lifter down a few times with the pushrod. That should pre-load the hydraulic section of the lifter with oil and the resistance should become stronger after you have pushed down on the pushrod a half dozen times. If the resistance doesn't increase, then the lifter is worn out and needs replacement.

Test each lifter in the same manner to see if they build up resistance. If they all do, you can re-use them with that cam. However, as others have stated, you will be leaving a lot of the performance to be derived from the larger displacement pistons and cylinders on the table.