Solid lifters?

[mrbaja]

Aloha all,

I just got a 84 Vanagon (my first t5) which needs new lifters. Is there any reason I can't switch out the hydralic lifters and replace them with solids? The reason is I have a bunch of solid lifters on hand and don't want to buy new hydralic pieces if I don't have to. Plus I keep seeing hydralic lifters collapse on VW flat4's. I don't mind routine valve adjustments.

Thanks, Theo

[TIMBERWOLF]

Mine has solid type IV's in with custom cut moly push rods, engle 120 cam, works fine.

Are you rebuilding the whole thing? Mine had crappy lifters and had delaminated the cam...........hense a full rebuild, if the lifters are knackered the rest won't be far behind??

[mrbaja1]

The rest of the engine seems OK. I'll pull the lifters out and give em a good looking over and see if my T4 solids can work in the T5 place. If I'm not mistaken, are the solid lifters a little longer then the hydrailics? This isn't a special engine. Just a stocker I got free from a neighbor and i don't want to put much into it. If I get the lifter problem fixed, It should make a good driver.

Aloha, Theo

[Chris K]

the only issue is your cam is gonna be designed for hydraulic lifters.
best fit a mild cam designed for a beetle (fit straight in) engle 100 or 110 or equivalent should do the trick and squeeze a bit more power out of your lump aswell:)
in any case your prob gonna need custom length push rods.

having said all that volkspares recon wasserboxers had solid lifters, maybe get in touch with them to see what cam they used.

[TIMBERWOLF]

I think you'll need the custom push rods, but don't let that put you off, they are easy to put in, just take your time.