Are these Tappets/Cam followers any good?

[Micha]

Can you please tell me if I can reuse these?


I always read and hear how important it is for this part to have a clean, smooth surface and the truth is I didn't understand why: If the center is flat, where the pushing is taking place - what do we care about the rest of the surface?

Another question is about the tappet guide bushings: How do I know that they are not worn and have gone beyond measure? The tappets sit inside well without play when lubricated.

[MikeL46]

The contact is not just in the center; contact is off-center. The off-center contact causes the follower to rotate (notice the circular pattern?) so the entire surface is in use.

I wouldn't use C in my enemies engine. I wouldn't use any of them in my engine. If I could afford it I would throw them all away.

Mike

[Captonzap]

They can't be in much better shape.

CZ

[Micha]

Thanks for this tip, CZ.
I will send the shaft for a rebuild.

[Micha]

The contact is not just in the center; contact is off-center. The off-center contact causes the follower to rotate (notice the circular pattern?) so the entire surface is in use.

I wouldn't use C in my enemies engine. I wouldn't use any of them in my engine. If I could afford it I would throw them all away.

Mike


Thanks - I will.

[ahistand]

Michael I would not re-use any of those. They all have some degree of pitting and at least one has been chipped around the edge. Also, they are the old style “4 window” type which are weaker than the newer style “2 window” type. Since your lifters are in bad shape I would also carefully inspect your camshaft to see if it also needs replacement. New lifters are not terribly expensive. The lifter sleeves or bores in the case rarely wear out and if they are you would see obvious wear on both the ID of the bores and on the OD of the lifters.

[Micha]

Thanks ahistand.
You make an interesting point here.
I saw that these followers can be purchased in oversizes, but when oiling the old ones and inserting them, I can not feel any play in those sleeves or bores.
So I think I will order the STD size.