Blocking Camshaft followers (tappets)

[Ruud Hensbergen]

When rebuilding the cylinder heads of my V8, and checking the hydraulic tappets, a number of these turned out to be blocked; measured in this position it turned out to be in the highest position, compared to the tappets of which I could (finger) press the center plunger in.

Could it be that these tappets can block?

I love to learn!

 

Ruud.

[mike_sekinger]

I doubt that there is anything wrong with the tappets. When `hard` it means that they are pressurised with oil.  The `soft` tappets are free of oil.  When re-installing used tappets, you will have a mixed bag of pressurised and empty tappets.

[Ruud Hensbergen]

Hi Mike,

Thank you for your reply. I was able to drain the tappets trough the bore in the oil groove. Is it possible that the plungers are still under pressure even the tappets have been stored for 2 months. If these tappets fail, is it only by leakage?

[mike_sekinger]

The tappets can hold pressure for a long time.

The tappets are a multi-part assembly, so things can break.

It is possible to take them apart and re-assemble, although I have never needed to do that.

[Ruud Hensbergen]

Thanks again Mike, you gave me confidence to reposition the tappets.