MTFCA Forum

What is the opinion on adjustable lifters Ina model t.
Do the 2 wrench hold there adjustment better than the 3 wrench with the lock nut?
Those of you using them are you setting your valve lash by piston location timing or just setting them at 10 to 12 thousandths off the heel of the cam lobe.
Are both styles still made?
Any reason they can,t be installed with the engine in the car?
For those who like to experiment, have any of you made your own?

So easy a kid can do it.


https://youtube.com/shorts/g9F7HmxT6MM?feature=share

They worked well.

I usualy end up with the 3 wrench cam fallowers. Either I'm to cheap to buy the 2 wrench ones or they are not available. No have not tried to
make my oun. ( the chuck I have is not good for that) I set the valves @ the cam builders spec or the traditionl setting. Have not had good
luck with the piston travel method. I could not stand the noise of 0.032 clearance when setting them that way! I have found that if you set
the valve clearance with out spring tension on them on a valve job add a 0.0010 to them as once the run some thay will get tighter. This is not
quess its what I have found after running a engine on the stand for 2 hours after a valve job. I personally have never had a adjustable cam
fallower fail but have heard of it happening.

I only use the 3 wrench, lock nut style. The others, with self locking threads don't remain self locking forever. I have a few friends that have them in their cars. After a while the adjustment backed off. I ended up making precisely sized spacers that fit under the heads of the adjuster screws so they can't back down.

Yes, you can install either style without removing the engine. Do not listen to anyone saying you need to cut your tappet guides shorter in order to use/adjust the 3 wrench style. Not necessary.

Jerry VanOoteghem wrote: ↑

Mon Apr 24, 2023 6:37 am

I only use the 3 wrench, lock nut style. The others, with self locking threads don't remain self locking forever. I have a few friends that have them in their cars. After a while the adjustment backed off. I ended up making precisely sized spacers that fit under the heads of the adjuster screws so they can't back down.

Yes, you can install either style without removing the engine. Do not listen to anyone saying you need to cut your tappet guides shorter in order to use/adjust the 3 wrench style. Not necessary.

Dittos. Dittos. Dittos
Never had the 3 wrench type loosen. I have sheared some self lockers.

Here is a link to a 2015 thread about this subject.
Read what Herm had to say about the subject. You will find it still tire today. Dan
https://www.mtfca.com/discus/messages/5 ... 1451355873

The adjustable tappets I installed in 1972 were easy to install and adjust. When I bought a new tappet set in 2010, for my second overhaul, the adjusting bolts and nuts were too big to insert the tappets into the holes from underneath, and the TPI was bigger so, even if I could have used them, the adjustment would not have been as fine due to the larger TPI so, I had to reuse the old tappets. But I had not driven my T enough to cause sufficient wear, so it was not a problem. Just a waste of the money I paid for a new tappet set I could not use. Hopefully, the manufacturers corrected the problem. If not, it could be a problem