Looking for a little advice. I'm putting my latest small motor back togather. The shop short blocked it less the cam. They spent hours setting it up correctly. Problem is they didn't install the cam and lifters. Looking at the bottom of the block I can barely see some of the lifter holes. Is there a trick to getting the lifters by the crank rods and pistons and into their bores? Do I need to seperate the rods and push them down in the cylinder? Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

I was faced with this dilemma recently on my 312. There may be someone who has a way of doing it but I couldn't find it. I gave up and removed the piston/rod assemblies. I had to also replace the cam bearings. It was a lot of extra work.

57 Black Tbird 312/auto

I've done it using a telescoping magnet and turning the crank to allow best access and clearance to each lifter hole. It's a royal PIA but it can be done.

That was my first thought. I'll have to get a smaller diameter magnet first. The ones I have now won't fit through the lifter bores. Oh Well, could be a long day tomorrow. Chuck

Y's guys rule!
Looking for McCullouch VS57 brackets and parts. Also looking for 28 Chrysler series 72 parts. And early Hemi parts.

MoonShadow, 292 w/McCulloch, 28 Chrysler Roadster, 354 Hemi)
Manchester, New Hampshire

Here’s a link to a past thread that has a picture of a lifter tool specific for Y lifter installation. Although this tool was originally designed to install the lifters with the engine in the car, it should work really well with an engine upside down and on an engine stand.

http://forums.y-blocksforever.com/Topic29290.aspx

Chuck. If you need to borrow this tool, just give a shout and I’ll send it your way.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)

It can be done, just be patient and turn the engine over to find the best shot at each hole.  I've done it many times and have got quite good at it with a magnet and a "grab all".

   God Bless.   Tim                           http://yblockguy.com/

350ci Y-Block FED "Elwood", 301ci Y-Block Unibody LSR "Jake", 312ci Y-Block '58 F-100, 338ci Y-Block powered Model A Tudor

tim@yblockguy.com  Visalia, California    Just west of the Sequoias