Got the head off the replacement engine and two lifters fell out, so I'll have a 50/50 chance of getting them back in the same order. Is this a serious problem? I've always heard if you put the lifters back in the wrong sequence you'll have probs. With lifters being $70 ea. this project is making me look real hard for a turbo in the classifieds. On a better note the replacement engine's balance shafts are totally different ('87 vs 85.5). Is this anything I should be concerned about?

 

Keep the related parts with their respected motor and you will be fine. I will jump out on this limb pretty far... I have heard of keeping the lifters in the proper placement as far as the cam. I understand why as far as wear patterns. I cannot guarantee that I've properly placed all or any of the lifters on the 5-6 motors I've had apart. I inpsected them, no noticable differences and they seem to wear pretty iniform. No problems yet, I don't see any reason why you wouldn't be ok, if you replace both, the wear patterns won't be the same, hell, the lifters will be new on worn cam lobes. BTW, the one on the left goes to the front hole, you'll be fine.

 

also, I do try to keep them in order the best I can, stuff happens

 

No you don't have to worry it's good to keep them in order but if you can't just keep them in oil make sure they don't go dry. That would be more a problem.

Edit. p.s. I did some post about this hmm a good time ago maybe a year check them out. I think it was on the turbo forum. Had bunch of respones also no failed engines because of lifter misplacement but that's me so don't listen. People are getting itching about these stuff lately on rennlist

 

Keep them in oil? Do I need to pull them out and put them in a coffee can of oil or just keep them from getting damp?

 

they are oil filled, if they loose the oil, they will make a ton of noise when you fire it up, they don't absorb much if any oil into them from sitting in oil but it helps some. I've always had a bunch of lifter noise on a "fresh" motor on startup. Once they pump up they are usually fine. My dad's had one stubborn lifter that would stay loud, then only intermittent, then only on starting, it's fine now after maybe 50-60 miles. I've only soaked the lifters a few times with no noticable difference. Standard oil would most likely drain out of them by the time you start it for the first time. I use a ton of assembly lube to try to keep them safe till they see pressure, from then they will pump up and quiet down.

 

I have gotten the lifters mixed up somewhat myself on my enignes. My 84, are not even close to where they were, and have ran it for 3 yrs and 35k miles. Runs better than either of my 88's.

 

when my head went bad we kept the lifters in the correct location but i installed two "new" (used) 52K camshafts that had different wear patterns. I am not aware of any problems. i just recently rebuilt my engine and kept the lifters in order again, but again, can't say there has been any problem.

i soaked my lifters in a can of Mobil 1 overnight prior to installing them, and had no lifter noise whatseover when i started the car. there was also a time period of about 3-4 weeks from installing the lifters to finally starting the engine.

oh yeah, and i've got 16 lifters. twice the fun

 

ok, here's my details,,,

mom's 84, head off when we got the car, apart for a month, no oil soak, no noise at all
my 954, apart 2-3 months, soaked, pumped by hand in oil, lubed,and engine primed without plugs, noisy
rock's car head off for about 2 hrs, no oil, lubed, a little noise
dad's 951, apart about 2 weeks soaked and lubed, noisiest and most stubborn

I guess it's pretty much how dry they are when they come out.

 

Seems like the Early engines are the ones being the nicest

 

OK this "replacement engine" has been sitting at least a year. I guess I'll number them and dunk 'em.
Andy nine-44 don't leave me now! It's the little things that are in the back of your mind that you see as an after thought that will keep in german cars...shoot I've got a lot of time here in the shop before I turn on the switch. I'm sure that I 'll need some help then BIG TIME! Don't leave me now!
(or if you do, send me a thread) You are invaluable, bud. On a personal note, the clubhouse is straight down IH 35 And could be a good fun for some of you guys - Love for you to see the Clubhouse

 

I'm not leaving till everything is fixed, I wouldn't be able to sleep if I did. If I had even planned to leave the site, I wouldn't be tryintg to save it, I'd let it go to hell without me. Texas is a little bit of a run for me man or I'd be there.