So, I have this 1991 Japanese EJ20 turbo engine sitting around. I've been trying to get it back together for the last 2 years now. The current problem is the heads, more specifically the hydraulic lash adjusters in the heads. I need them to come out so I can check and oil them. But, I can't get them to budge.

Does anyone know how to get these out of the heads?

 

I have seen our engineer do it on a number of occasions, with a special tool he places on the valve stems; & taps them hard with a copper hammer. The collets fall apart & everyhing lifts out

 

Knowlesy, He's not talking about getting the valve springs off he means getting the hydraulic lifter gizmos out of the head where the rockers rest.


These can be tricky and usually pop out once the head is hot enough.

Get it hot I say.

David APi Engines / APi Impreza

 

The picture would appear to show that the followers have already been removed ?

If you want to remove the valves, springs, etc', you'll need a valve spring compressor.

Mark.

 

he means these things Mark, i thought you knew your ****!

 

Blatantly not when it comes to hydraulic heads Best I stick to the later heads, and leave this stuff to David

Mark.

 

PMSL (especially at David) at this thread; plus in Felstead's picture those yellow things weren't in the first piture & to be honest I have never seen my engineer remove anything like those yellow things

 

And in the first picture it looks like the half moons have been chromed.....

 

Special order only you see!

 

Legacy heads!!

The half moons are Ali on the early Leggy heads.

I was trying to get the lash adjusters out the other day
If you look very closely there is a tiny 'C' clip in a groove holding the pivot ball in.
I managed to get this out but the rest was solid, so I gave up

 

I didn't mention the C clip on my earlier post as I assumed that they were out already. Obviously, the adjusters won't come out without removing them no matter how hot you get it all - Unless you melt the heads of course which is a bit drastic......

David APi

 

LOL @ melting the heads

Can you remove the insert/cup that the pivot sits in?

 

it went in so it should come out. In theory.

 

"In theory" LOL

 

Well, I tried(and some of my friends) to get that C clip out, but we gave up and figured it didn't come out. Not quite sure how it's supposed to come out. Is it just a squeeze on the sides kind of thing? I was afraid of damaging things, so I figured I'd wait until I got some more advice.

Not many here in the US know about the early Legacys, let alone the DOHC turbos.

 

Usually a small flat bladed electrical type of screw driver doesn't do too much damage [ in the hands of a brain surgeon, he adds ] Just push gently down behind the clip close to the gap and sort of lever in and up. Just watch the flick of where it goes, if it misses your eye!!

David APi Engines / APi Impreza

 

I'll second that, I nearly lost.................. the clip!!!


There is a small indent on the valve side of the tappet. If you use a small screwdriver or scriber you should be able to get it out

Beware the clip is tiny!!!!

 

wear some glasses!

 

Wow, they come out so damned easy once you take that ring out! Thank you so very much!

Man, I've got to hang out over here more. Not only is noone really willing to help out on OTHER forums, but most of them aren't very knowledgeable about these things.

Once I knew what I was looking at, I could get to what I was looking for! YIPPEE!

Oh yea, I think these might be quite a bit different from what the Haynes manual tells me the US engine has. So, now that I can get these out, how do I go about checking them? Before the engine was removed, it did tap a bit, which I believe might indicate a few bad adjusters. I do plan to soak them in oil, but I am unsure of how I check them to make sure they are within tolerance.

 

Ok, so looking at these things now with them apart, it looks like the oil just simply flows in the underside, and forces the adjusters to stay pressed up against the rocker arms(?). So, is there a way for these to wear out? Or just clog sometimes?

Should I just hot tank the head and call it a day?

 

We would normally soak them in kerosene or similar to get the sludge out and get the plunger operating - it is spring loaded. They may come to pieces, in a similar fashion to getting it out of the head, with a small C clip again.

It is so long since we have done that, that my guys can't remember. IF they come to bits clean them, linish the moving parts, oil and reassemble.

With luck silence. However, if the spring inside has gone soft with age they may not be totally silent.

We will have a few laying around in old core units - We can mail you some if you need.

The engine will rattle like mad for maybe 10 - 15 minutes after it starts but that should reduce as it warms up. lt may take 100 miles to become totally silent - if it is going to.

Good Luck David APi Engines - APi Impreza

Pm me if you need spares.