Flathead Ford/Lincoln fans... Purchased a 1940 Zephyr 4d that had been extensively restored 20-30 years ago - nearly completed when the owner p***ed (lacks only door panels, headliner and carpet). It has subsequently sat unused. After a carb rebuild and oil change, engine fired up instantly, but with a powerful single-lifter racket. After a couple of hours running with first Marvel + oil, then ATF + oil, no improvement. With a stethoscope, I was able to narrow it down to one of two cylinders. So... pulled the head - no evidence of any contact or interference. So... pulled the intake manifold - still no smoking guns. So, pulled a few valves and lifters. Lifters don't look anything like what I see in parts and service manuals. Dis***embled all three lifters, and found one with no spring or small disc (shown up close in the second picture) in the valve - finally, a smoking gun! Now, all I need to do is identify these lifters so I can fix/replace just one! Hoping not to replace them all. Any help truly appreciated!
I bet there's one of those lifters in the bottom of a box at one of the big swap meets. If you do find a spare, just swap the missing bits into your original lifter because that lifter has worn in to its cam lobe. Remember to keep each lifter matched to its original camshaft lobe.
Lincoln Zephyr Owners Club (LZOC) on the web and see the links for resources and data. Looks like a standard V12 “hydraulic” lifter. As mentioned above, Booz-Herrel is represented there.
The Jalopy Journal
