[Bill Hanlon]

My friend Andy is overhauling the 1955 GMC 288 V8 (same as '55 Pontiac 287, but deeper dished pistons). Here is his problem.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
I’m nearing the end of my rebuild and while putting new lifters today I noticed that three that I’ve bought have 3 large holes in them versus the other 13 that have a single small hole. Other than that they are seemingly exactly the same. Knowing that ‘55 Pontiac’s had a single year lifter I’m now concerned about having the right lifters?

Is there a tell if they’re for a ‘55 as opposed to those for latter years. Hopefully the number of holes and there larger size is compatible with a single small hole type.

The 13 are TRW, part # VL10 and the 3 are GM/Johnson tappers part #5230620.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I checked the 1955-60 GMC Master Parts Book and found the 5230620 part number as used in the 1955 288 V8 engine. Same part number is listed in the Pontiac 1960 Master Parts Catalog for 1955 engines only.

Any first person knowledge/opinion of the TRW VL10 parts would be appreciated.