mopar purpleshaft

Here is the advice that was given to me when I installed mine from another member that helped me in the past.

Quote "Well....it's not recommended to pump-up the lifter while submerged in oil prior to install, and there's no need to soak the lifters for 24 hours. Soaking them essentially does the same thing as pumping them up in that it removes all the air in the plunger.

The problem with pumping them up and then preloading the lifter is that if the lifter is slow to bleed then it will keep the valve off the seat until it does bleed, and when you fire-up the engine and oil pressure hits the lifter it's even harder for the plunger to bleed that 1-1/2 turn preload you set.........and the valve sits off the seat and possibly hits the piston. Not to mention the engine runs like crap because half the valves are not sealing. (personal experience).

So here's what I recommend: Wet, dip, role, dunk.... the lifters in oil, the same oil you are going break the cam in with. I suggest Rotella 30w.

Take up the slack until you feel resistance spinning the lifter and turn the adjuster 1-1/2 turns (as per the Mopar engine book). Tighten the adjuster nut to 25 ft.lbs. make sure you have lubricated the pushrod tips and the valve tip along with the pivot hole in the rocker.

Now if you want to put some oil into the lifters prior to start-up, and it's not absolutely necessary, then do what I do. Use an electric drill and a priming shaft to prime the engine. As you are priming the engine with oil pressure turn the crank nice and slow at least two full turns. Do this after you've assembled the rockers, pushrods, and lifters. This fills the lifters with oil and doesn't pump them up so as to lift the valve off the seat". Unquote.

On another note, quality with the mopar cams seams to be hit and miss .... especially with the lifters. After my 484 went flat, I installed a solid roller to avoid this issue. Some say that it is the oil, I have heard good things about the "Joe Gibbs" oil, or even ZR1 Valvoline. Others will chime in shortly and add their comments and recomendations. Good luck!!! Andrew