lifter replacement on '73 914 1.7

[tomk]

I am rebuilding a 1.7 engine and the reassembly phase is at the point where I install new hydraulic lifters, reinsert the pushrods and bolt down the valve rocker assemblies. I backed the adjuster screws all the way out and here's the problem.
As I start to tighten down the rocker shaft the valves begin to open, not a good thing for #1 cylinder on the power stroke!. I soaked the lifters in oil to get the internal plungers to move more freely but, no dice , same thing. I compared the old lifter to the new ones and with respect to the overall length of the lifter and rod it is over 0.450 longer with the new lifters. Now, I must admit, I did not purchaser the lifters from our sponsor, (but in my defense, I have purchased about $3000 worth of parts from Pelican during the past year so hopefully this small slip can be forgiven.)
Is there more than one type of hydraulic lifter available for this type 4 engine? My understanding is that hydraulic lifters are only available on type 4's and that type 1,2,and 3's all have solid lifters. Any comments or suggestions are very welcome. Thanks in Advance

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I believe that the hydro lifters are supposed to be longer than the solid lifters. This requires shorter pushrods, by the same amount. You'll need to find some of those or make them; some outfits sell pushrod ends and plain tube that you use to make new rods out of.

--DD

[tomk]

thanks Dave, but my car came with Hydraulic lifters so was trying to replace them with new ones , same in kind, but the new ones are different, longer overall

[tomk]

or did the original ones come as solid?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

The car was delivered from the factory with solid lifters. The can be swapped for hydro ones when the engine is rebuilt.

Randomly swapping lifters around is a good way to wipe your cam.

--DD

[TheCabinetmaker]

It is my understanding that you need to run a hydrolic lifter cam shaft with these lifters, so make sure you have that. also beware of VW Bus cam, some are hydrolic, the cam that a bus has wont be optimized for the 914. also beware of just any old lifters. My understanding is you have to really watch the hardness of the lifter material, Sometimes they are made too soft (improper heat treatment/materials) So besure you buy the cam /lifter from a reputable source.

You will want to make sure the lifter has some cam break in lube on the flat cam contact surface too.

by the way whom did you buy the cam/lifters from?

[tomk]

hi thanks for the reply,

i purchased a web cam ground for hydraulic lifters, i coated it with lube supplied with the cam, new cam gear and hydraulic lifters to match from Vee Dub parts, now Pierside. after much research i now realize i need different pushrod, about 9 mm shorter, now have them on order as well. some references say i need to change valve springs as well, what the opinion of you guys on this one? thanks again for your help