Bucket Hydraulic Tappets - Disassembly

[ToGGoT]

I'm spending my evenings at the moment slowly rebuilding my 2.9 24V Cosworth BOA lump while hacking rusty bits off the Capri.

I'm having some fun with a few of the hydraulic tappets, in that I can't get them to separate. They are the bucket type lifters, similar to the ones in this photo:



I've done 15 of the 24 so far, and the rest i've managed to get separated with a combination of bringing them down fairly hard onto a wooden board, repeatedly until they pop, or soaking in degreaser overnight and repeating the same.

Of the remaining 9, about 7 still 'pump' up and down, but the pistons don't want to drop out, the other two, the piston will rotate around inside the bucket, but wont pump, and wont come out.


I've got them sat upside down and filled with penetrating oil at the moment to see if it improves, but is there a trick?

[DVandrews]

I've disassembled hundreds, try rotating the centre a few times before slamming down on a hard surface, this settles and centres the internal circlip. You can also try gripping the centres with small mole grips while turning and pulling, I have used a piece of wood with a shallow hole to increase the velocity of the follower when slamming down. If you make a proper holder you can try using air pressure to pop the centres. Never had one that wouldn't come apart eventually.

Dave

[steveo3002]

could you make up a long stick /holder to whack down with more force ?

[ToGGoT]

Ah, the holder idea is a good one - I hadn't thought of that! I was reluctant to use mole grips as i really didn't want to scratch the pistons, but as a last resort that may also do!

Will dig through my scrap wood pile!

[Mignon]

Get an old cam belt, flat ribbed belt, anything similar, even an old leather belt. Cut off 8 inches or so, wrap round the lifter with a couple of inches spare either side and grip those with a mole wrench. You should be able to get a good swing like that.