Push rod lifter retainer and tappet removal

[veggie]

I remove the Lifter retainer in hopes of removing the lifters and cleaning them.
I was hoping the lifters and tappets could be removed from the outside of the engine.
I can only get eache lifter raised approx. 1 inch and the tappets get obstructed by the lifter hole.
Can the lifter and tappets be removed from the outside?

veggie

[Henry W]

Hi Veggie,

I am pretty sure the complete assembly should pull out as you are doing.

Henry

[playdiesel]

I have only seen  GM90s in your pictures but if it is like a std CS then nope, the lifters have to go out the bottom after you remove the camshaft , sorry. And you also have to uncrew the upper part of the exhaust lifter so it will go out the bottom.

Oh, and if properly machined the lifter guides will not come out easily, they are supposed to be a light press fit. If they dont come out easily or with a few light taps with a soft hammer (not on the tappet please) leave them be until you have aquired a proper puller. These are discribed on I believe Utterpower.

[veggie]

So how do you separate the guide from the tappet?
When I lift the guide to remove it, the tappet comes with it and then jams in the hole.
I don't need the tappets removed, I just want to clean the guides which currently have a lot of putty on them.

veggie

[playdiesel]

Find the wrench flats on the side of the exhaust lifter and decompression ledge and unscrew the decompressor part. Then with fine (400) emory or sandpaper get rid of the paint on the exposed part of both lifters. Punch mark both guides in a manner that will allow you to install them in the same bore they were removed from AND the same orientation. Then remove the guides. The tappets will stay somewhere near where they need to be, the cannot get away. DO NOT turn the engine while they are laying in there. On a zero hour engine it is not of prime importance to keep track of where and how the guides come out however it is sloppy workmenship that WILL make a difference in a high houred unit so best not to get in a habit of it

[Geno]

On a standard 6/1 lifters come out from the bottom. I don't think the cam has to be removed if the guides come out first, been a while. Lifter guides come out from the top. The lifter top in your hand needs to be unscrewed to remove the lifter guide and then remove the lifter from the bottom.

Thanks, Geno

[Tom Reed]

Didn't need to remove the cam when changing the tappets in my engine. Just clean the paint, mine chipped off with a fingernail, remove the guide and the tappet will tip out of the hole and into your clean little mitts.