Lifter question

[Modeltmike]

I am helping a friend with a valve job. When we pull up the valves there is a “cap” over the lifter. It is small and can be removed. My cars all have adjustable lifters and I had not seen this before. Was this standard for the non adjustable lifters? Thanks Mike.

[Kerry]

No, not standard for the T engine, rotator caps would have been used in a rebuild some time later in it's life.

[Gene_French]

Mike:
also , there are shims that were used over the ends of the tappets to take up excess wear or to correct the clearance when too much material was removed from valve stem or tappet ( lifter) during a valve job … these stamped cups were usually in the .015 to .030 thickness … don't see these very often … always an optimist ..gene french

[Modeltmike]

Did they fit over a standard lifter, or is it a special lifter? I would assume the valve would have been shortened a little to get clearance? What was their purpose? Thanks Mike

[Adam]

It’s an accessory part that was put over the end of the tappet because the end is worn too deep. People used these shims when they did a valve job instead of replacing the tappets. If they aren’t worn thin, you can leave them in there. If you have the cam out, you should replace the tappets.