Comp Cams Hydraulic Roller Lifter Failure

This is Part 33 of my 331 Ford stroker motor rebuild.
This hydraulic lifter failed to pump up and flow oil to the pushrod.
Check out ALL of my Mustang videos here:
• 1966 Ford Mustang
331 Stroker build here:
• Ford 331 Stroker Rebuild
Ford 4-speed Toploader rebuild:
• Ford 4-Speed Toploader
CPP MINI Subframe Kit:
• CPP MINI Subframe Kit

[@jmc3676]

I installed an flat tappet and lifter kit in my 68 302 and found that several lifters were not oiling. After taking them all apart for cleaning I discovered the ones not oiling had the oil metering disc concave side was pointing down. I did some research and found the concave side should be facing the pushrod because of the oil groove in the disc and this fixed the oiling issue. I'm building a retrofit 289 and using the same spider and lifters you did. I took them all apart and they were lubed and clean. Only issue is 4 of the 16 had the metering disc orientation backwards.

[@jmc3676]

Correction on my comment is the oil metering disc protrusion should be toward the pushrod allows the oil to pass through the small groove to the rocker. Sorry

[@JohnLatrobe]

Wow. Nice find. It makes sense the disc has to be oriented a certain way otherwise they would be flat. I could see how the disc could flip over during assembly if you weren’t careful.

[@kevinclancy.]

thanks, I didn't know that the bottom of the inner piston came apart like that to reveal the small spring and ball.

[@jsimmonstx]

Did the new lifter fix your problem? It would be interesting to see if thoroughly cleaning the parts and reassembling it would allow it to function properly.

[@JohnLatrobe]

Yes, the replacement lifter solved the issue. I really wish I could have found something obviously wrong with the bad lifter.

[@jsimmonstx]

@@JohnLatrobe - Since the new lifter fixed your problem, that kinda blows away my theory that the oil passage for that particular lifter bore was clogged. It's interesting that there was no oil in the lifter at all. Maybe the oiling hole in the side of the lifter is blocked?

[@JohnLatrobe]

@@jsimmonstx check out the 4th pic on this page: www.onallcylinders.com/2021/05/14/building-affordable-ford-289-302-power/ It clearly shows how big the lifter bore oiling passage is, looks to be at least .25 inches. Plus, and I may be wrong, but I think that oil passage flows oil around each lifter to the next bore. So if the passage was blocked then more than one lifter should have been affected. Maybe not. I did check the hole in the side of the lifter and it was clear, but it’s possible something foreign was plugging the hole while it was in the bore.

[@brainwashed7244]

@@JohnLatrobe i wonder if air pocket or air locked?

[@JohnLatrobe]

@@brainwashed7244 you could be right. Something was either blocking the oil from entering the lifter, or preventing the air from escaping. The replacement lifter solved the issue so it’s all good now 😀

[@brainwashed7244]

The manufacture should etch a logo to avoid fakes !!! How do you know otherwise ?

[@JohnLatrobe]

Fakes are way too common these days. It’s probably worth paying extra to order direct from the manufacturer.

[@markwoten6679]

Dirt or debris