The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 235 lifters- solid or hydraulic?

got a 235 engine. Block is xxxx233 and head is xxxx848, only remember the last 3 numbers on each. engine decoder says it's 55-57. have not run engine myself. would this have solid or hydraulic lifters? is there an easy way to find out which? thanks. :confused:
rotty

If the engine was installed in a vehicle with a Powerglide transmission, it had hydraulic lifters. Standard shift engines had solids. (At least on the early models). By the late 50's, I think all the engines were hydraulic. A simple way to find out is to find a valve in the closed position, and try to force the rocker arm away from the valve stem with a pry bar (Don't overdo it and bend the pushrod!). After a few minutes of continuous leverage, if the gap between the rocker and the valve stem increases to about 1/8", you've got hydraulic lifters. They bleed down when steady pressure is applied against the 2-piece lifter assembly. The lifter will pump up again as soon as the engine is run for a few minutes.
Jerry

HRLinc,
Ran out there and pulled v-cover and tried what you said. They're solids.

this engine not run for nearly 30 yrs., I knew the owner, it sat in his barn in northern minnesota. i pulled off dist, intake/exhaust mans., fuelpump etc. poured marvel oil down plug-holes, and so on, let sit for about two weeks then this past w/end did compression check, got 120, 120, 121, 123, 126, and 144. i was amazed it even turned over. fuel pump even worked. i'm going to put new guts in the dist., o'haul the carb( a "B" ), put manifolds back with new gaskets( to the in/ex ports and between the exh. and int. carb heat area) flush the tank and fueline with some fresh gas and try to time it up and fire it off. i wonder if i should adjust valves( cold, and if so how much clearance? ) and/or what would you all suggest?

Thank you HRLinc and any other helps.
rotty