[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.

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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.
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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.

[tom s]

I think I have a NOS box of 4 genuine 55 hyd lifters.Im in the mountains skiing for a couple day.Should be home Wednesday afternoon.PM me to remind me to check.Tom

[OG68]

Where did you find snow Tom? After that last heat wave, I thought it would all be melted by now.

[tom s]

Mammoth mountain is still open,going to get a couple days of snow this week.iI can always trout fish if it gets too soft.Tom

[OG68]

I haven't been trout fishing for 30 years.. Sadly there always seems to be something more important.
I need to get back into it.

[Safari Larry]

Back to the subject... Not first person knowledge, but some relevant references.

For the 3 types of lifters used in '55, see https://www.pontiacsafari.com/Servic...5-04-April.pdf, page 43.
For additional information on the lifters, see https://www.pontiacsafari.com/Servic...55-06-June.pdf, page 75.

For differences between 55 & 56 lifters, see https://www.pontiacsafari.com/Servic...09-October.pdf, page 102.

[Bill Hanlon]

Thanks Larry. I've passed the info along.

[tom s]

Will be home tomorrow afternoon.Tom

[Bill Eveland]

Does he have the original lifters if that helps determine anything? I have a 287 here for parts

[tom s]

I have bought them over the years,even ran a set in a modern engine I built for the street.All I have bought have come in 4 pk boxes.Tom

[Bill Hanlon]

With help from Larry's vast library, my friend Andy thinks he has got this figured out. He asked me to thank all of you for the help.

[tom s]

OK,got home.Here is what I have.3 boxes marked Pontiac and all are the same.1 box marked Olds and are identical to the Pontiacs.Of any one is interested send me a PM.