Shovelhead hydraulic lifters runnin wit nuttin in um??!!

[Crowe138]

Tore down a stock 1976 shovelhead motor to rebuild the top end. Bike was running pretty good but smoking cause of worn out guides. Put new guides n valves in n got it all ready to go back together and noticed the hydraulic lifters, er least I believe they're hydraulic, have no spring or check ball in them. each lifter comes apart in two pieces and have oil holes but nothing inside.

Anybody encountered this before or heard of guys removing that shit for some reason? Tried researchin the web n haven't came across anything yet .

Thanks,
Shovel newb

[gonzomange]

Do a search on shovelhead solid lifter conversion. That might be what you got in your motor.

[BadMonkeyMW]

Agreed. It sounds almost for sure like you've got a solid lifter kit in this engine. Post a photo and I could tell you for sure.

[Tattooo]

Yes they are a solid conversion.......Do you own a Manual?

[Crowe138]

Thanks guys did some research on the the hydro to solid conversions n looks like mine have the s&s conversion kit since there's no springs just a cap that pops into each stock lifter .

Thanks for the input, helped me out

[Shacknasty]

Could be S&S...or maybe someone threw away that useless spring.

Back in the day, when there were no solid lifter kits, we welded the hydro units...

[Crowe138]

That's what's up shacknasty , today we found out the front cylinder was runnin on two of the longer exhaust push rods , so we pryed out the long rod on the intake side, hacksawed it down proper n pressed the ball end back in. Also made a lifter block gasket outta a Kellogg's box and gasgacinch .
No leaks so far and still truckin!

[andri]

That's what's up shacknasty , today we found out the front cylinder was runnin on two of the longer exhaust push rods , so we pryed out the long rod on the intake side, hacksawed it down proper n pressed the ball end back in. Also made a lifter block gasket outta a Kellogg's box and gasgacinch .
No leaks so far and still truckin!

You know you can get those gaskets for less than a dollar..

[Tattooo]

that's what's up shacknasty , today we found out the front cylinder was runnin on two of the longer exhaust push rods , so we pryed out the long rod on the intake side, hacksawed it down proper n pressed the ball end back in. Also made a lifter block gasket outta a kellogg's box and gasgacinch .
No leaks so far and still truckin!

lol damn........