HLA Question
 

I just read a thread from a while back on the OHC forums that was talking about not pumping up the HLA's before installation. The person was saying that it'll keep the valves from closing all the way if you actually prime them with oil. His suggestion was to actually drain them before installation... Is this the case?

I install them dry, then prime the engine by turning the pump with the distributor out. If primed correctly, the lash adjusters will fill. Then install the distributor and fire it up.

X2 :thumbup:

X3 that is how I have always done it.

So, now comes the question... Do I need to take it back apart and drain them before I try and start the engine?

If they are full of oil, YES.

Understood... Just to make sure that I don't have to pull the top end apart again, what's the procedure for the HLA installation? Take them out, pull out the pin in the top, depress the check valve and let them drain? Then install them with nothing more than a coat of oil on them? After that, re-assemble the top end, fill the oil pan, pull the distributor and run with a drill until I've got oil pressure before firing? Sorry for all of the questions, but this is nothing like any other engine I've built in the past. Thanks again guys.

That is correct.

Cheers.

I rotate the engine 90 degrees, repeat priming the another 90, repeat, etc, that way I know all the lifters are full

Finally had a chance to mess with this last night. Got the HLA's drained and re-installed. I ran the oil pump after each 90 degree turn of the crank making a total of 4 revolutions of the crank. Hoping that's enough prime to fill them up. On another note, it made a very consistent 30 pounds of pressure...