Can Roller Lifters Be Reused?

Reusing parts is an economical way to rebuild your engine.

Building an engine piece by piece or repairing an engine can quickly become expensive. It is always helpful to find ways in which to save money. One way to do this is to reuse parts from your existing engine.

The Facts

Roller lifters are part of the valvetrain. They can be hydraulic or solid (mechanical). They roll, therefore the friction is less, and they can work well even with aggressive cam profiles.

Considerations

While you can't reuse flat lifters, roller lifters can be reused as they are designed differently and generally are subject to less friction and wear. These do not "require the lifter and cam lobe to wear-in or mate to each other," according to Summit Racing. It is important to assess whether the roller lifters you want to reuse are worn. First, check if they still roll smoothly. Also, you should clean and check the lifters for wear and discoloration from heat. You should check the needle bearings and the axle as well as the wheel. If they are worn, at best they will not work well or last very long. At worst, they can end up damaging your engine.

Significance

Roller lifters can be safely reused if you are diligent when cleaning, ensuring there are no signs of wear.

References

• Summit Racing: Expert Advice
• Grape Ape Racing: Techinical Articles-Valvetrain