The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Solid Lifter weights

When I installed my new cam in summer the lifters I bought new for my install were different than the ones I took out. The new ones only have a shallow area removed around the body but the old ones go down a good 1/4". The old ones are significantly lighter. How much of a difference could this make on wear and tear over time heavier vs lighter? If i had a chance to get the same machined down units for my 261 build is it worth it?

At the speed stovebolt engines run, the difference in weight will not be a factor. If you were turning it 6,000 RPM with a very radical cam profile and had to worry about valve float, things would be different, but that 261 will hand grenade itself long before valve float will become a factor.
Jerry

Ya don't want to set old lifters on a new cam for any reason

Is it possible one set is hydraulic and the other solid?

That is one of a few possibilities.

Can you post links to photos of the top (from the top) and the side of each lifter?

At least some of the "solid" lifters sold these days are simply hydraulics without the internal plunger and valving installed. No problem, as the upper part where the pushrod cup rides is held into place with the same sort of spring clip as the hydraulic lifter has. When I was working as a connecting rod rebuilder at a parts store, one of our customers raised an incredible stink about them selling him a set of those lifters for a Ford engine because they didn't "look" right.

Just run the things- - - -getting anal about appearance is silly! As long as there is a groove to allow oil to flow around the lifter body, the depth of the groove is not an issue.
Jerry

Here is a pic from another site of what im talking about

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachments/dscn2828-jpg.1885010/

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/attachments/dscn2829-jpg.1885011/

Looks like some one was attempting to make a "lighter" lifter? maybe a "Hot Rod" part of some kind? It might matter in a track motor with a steep ramp cam but, for us? I have a 235 that will run 3,000 RPM. It quits making HP at about 2800 so no need to push it any faster.

I've seen several sets of lifters like that. Look closely at the lifter with the shallow groove and you'll see it isn't "solid" at all- - - -there's a snap ring holding the pushrod seat in, and the lifter body is hollow. Either one will work just as well as the other. It' simpler these days to use one lifter body for both "solid" and hydraulic lifters, by just elininating the hydraulic internal parts and running one outer part for both types.
Jerry