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

i have a good running 57 235 with solid lifters. it is pretty noisy until it is completely warmed up. now, i just got a 59 235 block with hydraulic lifters that needs rebuilding, but is feasable to complete into a good runner with all the stuff i have to put into it. the question i have is; how much of a difference can i expect to see if i build the hydraulic lifter engine, will it be quieter or smoother running? is it worth the effort to use the newer engine just because it uses the hydraulic valvetrain?

garyg,

My unprofessional opinion. The hydraulic engine would be inherently more quiet from a lifter standpoint, no question about that. The solid lifter engine should make some noise, but shouldn't drive you out of the cab, even when cold.

As a youth, I always thought a solid lifter rig was snappier than one with hydraulics. On one of these old engines, you probably couldn't tell the difference.

I think a properly tuned and adjusted solid lifter motor will purrrrr just as sweet as one with hydraulics, BUT, you will hear (and should hear) some slight tappet noise. Many folks feel this light tappet noise gives these old engines character.

If you spend some time adjusting your valves perfectly, you might be surprised how much they quiet down. I wouldn't switch engines just for hydraulic lifters, but this is a personal choice.

Stuart

I always thought solid lifters were as God had intended on these old engines.

Solids. There's an old saying in the hot rod world, "Nothing strikes fear in the hearts of ford and Mopar drivers than the sound of a solid lifter Chevy".

Bill,

Methinks this phrase wasn't coined over the old stovebolt though.

Stuart

I don't know about that! I've got an uncle that had a '49 Business Coupe with a '57 235 in it that would thouroghly spank Hemi cars back in the day. Solid lifter, Fentons, and 3 carbs. Of course, the saying does really apply to the 283s and 327s, especially those with the Duntov "30-30" cam.

The valvetrain in a solid lifter setup is not noisy. So many of them have worn components and/or are out of adjustment, that they have a reputation for being noisy. The hydraulic setup requires no regular adjustment and that was a big advance. I have found sticking hydraulic lifters in older sixes to be annoying and hard to correct.

If you stay below 3500rpm you will love your hydraulics.
I got a late 235 with hydraulics as a daily driver for 12 years now.
No adjustments needed ever and a quieter running engine.

Late 235s use different hydraulic lifters, that look almost identical to solids - these don't have oil supply issues like the earlier style hydraulics.

thanks to you all for the responses. i think i will just leave the solid lifter engine alone for now. and if i need the hydraulic lifter engine in the future, it will be ready for use. now i have to go find something else to take apart!