How to Change Hydraulic Lifters
- 1). Open the hood and prepare the engine by removing electrical wires and air ducts, which will allow you access to valve covers.
- 2). Remove the valve covers using a socket wrench that fits the bolt size. Remove the bolts and the pry valve cover off using a standard flat-head screwdriver.
- 3). Move the the engine's first cylinder to the top center, while making sure the valves remain closed. Remove the bolts from the intake manifold and remove the manifold. If needed, clean off the manifold gaskets.
- 4). Remove the old hydraulic lifters by loosening the lifter arm bolts and moving them aside to allow access to the lifter push rods. Use a heavy-duty lifting magnet to extract each hydraulic lifter from their tray and set aside.
- 5). Position the new hydraulic lifters in place of the old ones. Make sure the new lifters are properly positioned and can make a complete 360-degree rotation. Tighten the lifter rocker arms after reinstalling the push rods. Make sure the gap between the rocker arm and valve stem is at 0.10-inch.
- 6). Install a new gasket to the intake manifold, position it properly and tightly in place and seal using gasket sealer.
- 7). Replace the valve cover, electrical wires and air ducts. Start the engine and make sure there are no clicking noises, which is a sign that the hydraulic lifters are not positioned properly.
