Overhauling Hydraulic Cam Followers

[benny205mi16 19 1 Cars]

Hello,

I am currently overhauling my cam followers, following the excellent guide on P Taylor's website.

So far I have stripped 12 down to the component parts, but the final 4 will not come apart for love nor money. I have even tried gripping the piston with some valve stem seal pliers but still no luck.

The piston will rotate and pumps up and down, but will not pull out.

The only think I can think is that the small split ring has opened slightly and is now jamming stopping it from releasing.

Has anybody else had this or know what I can do next to try and solve this?

Thanks for any help

Ben

[Kane 34]

I had a few that were fairly stubborn in coming out but eventually did with a little persuasion. To remove I found it best to set a sheet of ply or similar on your work surface and slam them down repeatedly (pistons facing down) and eventually they popped out.

 

Its likely that they're just gunged up with years worth of manky oil so should come out eventually.

[SweetBadger 99]

Behold the amazing lifter whacker!

 

 

Since refined -

 

1. get a piece of wood about 60cm long

2. drill a hole just less than the diameter of the lifter at one end (about half way through)

3. place lifter in said hole (piston facing out)

4. Hold piece of wood at the other end and use it to whack the lifter against another piece of wood on a bench.

 

The pistons should come out after a couple of tries.

Edited October 15, 2015 by SweetBadger

[benny205mi16 19 1 Cars]

Thanks for the advice,

I'll go back in the garage and keep wacking ????

 

Will have to make the wacking devise and give that a go.

[petert 630]

I find a harder timber, or composite, such as melamine, is better, as it doesn't absorb the shock as much. There has been the occasional lifter that has beaten me and ended up in the bin.

[calvinhorse 870]

As far as overhauling them goes, what about the cam face of the lifter? What should be done to reface that when fitting a new cam?

 

Sorry if this is a thread high jack

Edited October 16, 2015 by calvinhorse

[Kane 34]

There's a write up on Peter's website explaining with some good pictures but essentially set up some wet and dry paper on a flat surface and working in a figure of 8 rub down the face. Turn the lifter through 90 degrees every few rotations and repeat the figure of 8.

 

After a minute or so inspect the face and if there is a clear circle in the centre of the bucket then it is likely that you'll need to replace as you should only take off a small amount using wet and dry.

[calvinhorse 870]

Cheers Kane that's spot on, does it say what grade wet and dry on his page?

[petert 630]

Rough. I use the flat side of a large grinding wheel, which is probably #60-80ish? Definitely not #120. It's important that they clean up quickly. If it takes too long, you're grinding through the hardened outer layer and it will fail prematurely, even though flat.

[calvinhorse 870]

Oh god that's instantly put me off!

[petert 630]

Trust me, they're no where as finicky as an 8V bucket, which seem to have a much thinner hardened skin. Just give it a go. If they still have a hollow after 60-90 secs of rubbing, toss them.

[calvinhorse 870]

They are 8v ones! Haha

 

Cheers peter

[jackherer 543]

They are 8v ones! Haha

 

I think you're posting in the wrong thread then! And the wrong forum section too...

[calvinhorse 870]

I was talking about the cam face that I presumed were the same, that question has been answered

 

Ta jack

[benny205mi16 19 1 Cars]

Thanks for the advice,

The wacking stick worked great, all in pieces now.

Although I was close to giving up on one, so hit it a little harder than before and pop out it came.

All in bits ready to soak in de-greaser.

Even the wacking stick started to give up at one point, and the top of my stool will never be the same again!