Head removed for lifter change??

[LEOMAC23]

Does the head have to be removed to replace the lifters? on the 3.8?

[Taheen]

Re: Head removed for lifter change??

Don't believe so.

[cam98aro]

Re: Head removed for lifter change??

nope.

[ssms5411]

Re: Head removed for lifter change??

I post also to make it 3 times for luck, they do not. But you do need to pull the valve covers, I believe for the pushrods.

[LEOMAC23]

Re: Head removed for lifter change??

so if i take the valve covers off, change the rocker arms and pushrods, i can then access the lifters? also does anyone recomend comp cams lifters and rocker arms? and do i need to change the springs to put 1.8 ratio rocker arms???

[FuzzKill]

Re: Head removed for lifter change??

You need to take the upper and lower intake manifold off in addition to the valve covers.

There is a plastic retainer that goes over the lifters to ensure that the face the right way in the lifter bore, you have to take that out. And then you can slide each lifter out.

You don't need to completely remove the rocker arms, you can loosen them up a bit and move them off to the side once you pull the pushrod out, but since the bolts are TTY you really should be replacing them anyway.

Edit : Also don't forget to change your oil before you start it up after you do this!

[gotchocmilk39]

Re: Head removed for lifter change??

so if i take the valve covers off, change the rocker arms and pushrods, i can then access the lifters? also does anyone recomend comp cams lifters and rocker arms? and do i need to change the springs to put 1.8 ratio rocker arms???

well are you wanting to cam your car later on, if not the 1.8s would be fine. I replaced my lifters with compcam ones and they are fine.and in oder to change the lifter have have to take the Valve covers off and the upper and lower inake manifolds and all the **** that has to come off to get to them.

[LEOMAC23]

Re: Head removed for lifter change??

No i dont think ill be camming it ,so i think ill go with the comp cams 1.8 rocker arms and push rods and the lifters too, does anyone know how big of a job this is for a mechanic to do with the right tools?like hours of labour est.?

[jimmysprinkle]

Re: Head removed for lifter change??

If you're doing it yourself with the right tools, I'd say about an hour to get the coil packs and alternator off and the valve covers off.(Taking ooff alt. and coils isn't necesary, but makes the work easier). From there, rocker arms and pushrods are an easy swap, maybe 30ish minutes. If you replace the lifters, you have to pull the intakes. Add another hour or so for that.

[Nathan]

Re: Head removed for lifter change??

I would add much more for taking off the upper and lower intakes. You have to move the dip stick, egr, fuel rail, etc. And for the valve covers, if hasn't already taken off the motor lifting brackets it will take him even longer. Those bolts in the back are a huge pain. It took me and 2 other people about 3 hours to pull all that crap. Yes, we had to make 1 run to the store to get a fuel line disconnect tool, but I was 5 minutes from Advanced.