Thread: Holden 179 - Hydraulic Lifters

Originally Posted by LiamO

Hi,

Replaced the head gasket recently and suspect I may have over tighten the rockers nuts and the engine won't start. Pushrods move up and down and engine turns over but sparks plus on No:4, 5 & 6 are remain dry

Is it possible to remove/replace the Hydraulic Lifters from a Red 179 without removing the engine?

From memory, yes, it is through the side plates. About 40years since I worked on a Holden Red Motor & can't remember the procedure for adjusting the rockers. Know you had to tighten them down a certain amount, then crank the motor over for the lifters to fill or bleed off / fill. once started adjust them until they stopped rattling then tighten them down 3/4turn, I think. "O" it's a bugger getting old.

Originally Posted by 1950landy

From memory, yes, it is through the side plates. About 40years since I worked on a Holden Red Motor & can't remember the procedure for adjusting the rockers. Know you had to tighten them down a certain amount, then crank the motor over for the lifters to fill or bleed off / fill. once started adjust them until they stopped rattling then tighten them down 3/4turn, I think. "O" it's a bugger getting old.

Yep that is why the side plates are there, Fit new gaskets when you replace them or they will leak like a Landrover

From memory once you get them out place them in a container of engine oil and bleed them. if your lucky pouring oil down the push rod may bleed them up.

The lifters in a RV8 need between 20 and 60 thou clearance between the plunger and lip, which can be measured with a coathanger filed to size and bent 90degrees at the end.
I would think a 179 would be similar. The RV8 was a 60s engine so about the same time as the red motors.
The lifters in a 3.8 are the same as RV8 ones so lifters did not change much over the years.
Regards PhilipA

179 will have adjustable rockers unlike the 173 and 202. You might have done them up to tight as you say

Having had my share of EH and HR Holdens, I can tell you that when adjusting the rockers you firstly immerse the lifters in a tub of oil ( ice cream container). Then with the top of the lifter in the oil and facing up gently push the internal plunger up and down until you have expelled all air and the lifter becomes firm to push. Then as described by others install them back into the engine via the side of the engine. Replace the side plates being careful with the gaskets they tend to fall down, replace the push rods then tighten the nuts till they just touch the valve. Rotate the motor by hand (plugs out ) whilst doing this to ensure the valves are closed/ in firing position for each cylinder you adjust.
The motor should now be ready to start (plugs now back in) with the tappet cover removed try starting the engine it should run albeit roughly at first. Once you have it idling put your socket on one valve rocker at a time, back off the nut till the valve clatters then slowly tighten it till the noise stops. Once it has stopped tighten the valve slowly a further 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn and leave it. The engine might still be a bit rough at idle but should settle down as the lifters adjust themselves. Reinstall the rocker cover and hopefully it will be right to go.

Originally Posted by Gippslander

Having had my share of EH and HR Holdens, I can tell you that when adjusting the rockers you firstly immerse the lifters in a tub of oil ( ice cream container). Then with the top of the lifter in the oil and facing up gently push the internal plunger up and down until you have expelled all air and the lifter becomes firm to push. Then as described by others install them back into the engine via the side of the engine. Replace the side plates being careful with the gaskets they tend to fall down, replace the push rods then tighten the nuts till they just touch the valve. Rotate the motor by hand (plugs out ) whilst doing this to ensure the valves are closed/ in firing position for each cylinder you adjust.
The motor should now be ready to start (plugs now back in) with the tappet cover removed try starting the engine it should run albeit roughly at first. Once you have it idling put your socket on one valve rocker at a time, back off the nut till the valve clatters then slowly tighten it till the noise stops. Once it has stopped tighten the valve slowly a further 1/2 to 3/4 of a turn and leave it. The engine might still be a bit rough at idle but should settle down as the lifters adjust themselves. Reinstall the rocker cover and hopefully it will be right to go.

My memory is not quite as bad as I thought it was