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refacing valve lifters
  • KdancyKdancy
    Posts: 1,059Platinum Member
    Who knows of a shop that refaces valve lifters? I need the 39 engine lifters redone.
    Kerry
    Wellborn, Florida
    http://s294.beta.photobucket.com/user/studebaker2/library/
  • kamzackkamzack
    Posts: 401Gold Member
    I'd buy new ones from Dale Cooper.
    Kim
  • Geoff C., N.Z.Geoff C., N.Z.
    Posts: 2,267Platinum Member
    Dale cooper sells new lifters. Otherwise they can be refaced by any engineer who has a tool post grinder fitting for a lathe. Mount the lifter in an old 3" Hudson piston, through the wrist pin hole, which will give the correct radius. If you can't find anyone to do them I have a fitting for my valve refacer that works, but you will have to pay postage to New Zealand and back.
    Geoff
    If you're stuck in a hole, stop digging.
  • Park_WPark_W
    Posts: 2,052Platinum Member
    Al Saffrahn in AZ does a nice job on them.
  • walts garage-53
    Posts: 1,470Platinum Member
    Don't fool around, buy the new ones and save yourself a job to set them. Walt.
  • Park_WPark_W
    Posts: 2,052Platinum Member
    Walt, having them refaced properly is a fair bit less expensive. I've never had a problem with refaced ones. And don't you have to set the new ones too?
  • Fred
    Posts: 113Expert Adviser
    It's been a long long time, but my father had one fail in his 1947 Super Six. I took it to work (machine shop as apposed to present day donuts) and had it tested for surface hardness. "70 Rc" I assumed they were case hardened and wouldn't grind too much off. Just an old goats opinion.
    Fred
    PS: I hope my donuts never test that hard
  • Geoff C., N.Z.Geoff C., N.Z.
    Posts: 2,267Platinum Member
    They are not case hardened. You can regrind them, like a camshaft, they are hard all the way through.
    If you're stuck in a hole, stop digging.
  • Fred
    Posts: 113Expert Adviser
    Thanks Geof, never to old to learn.
    Fred
  • KdancyKdancy
    Posts: 1,059Platinum Member
    Just called Dale and ordered a full set along with some other needed engine parts.
    Thanks guys :)
    Kerry
    Wellborn, Florida
    http://s294.beta.photobucket.com/user/studebaker2/library/
  • walts garage-53
    Posts: 1,470Platinum Member
    When they are refaced and all the wear part in the middle is removed, they drop too low and the wrench can not be put on the lifter to hold it solid and if you try to just loosen the lock nut you can end up with a broken housing. Bad news. Install the new lifters and enjoy the ride. Walt.
  • Park_WPark_W
    Posts: 2,052Platinum Member
    Almost anything can be taken too far and thus cause problems. If the lifters are refaced with due attention to "how far," there's no problem of getting a wrench on them. Obviously if they're worn too far or have been resurfaced before, that's one thing, but I see no reason to abandon well-proven renovation procedure and spend money unnecessarily on new lifters just because they're available.
  • walts garage-53
    Posts: 1,470Platinum Member
    Cheaper in the long run with new lifters. Walt.
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