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  #1  
Old 10-21-2018, 01:36 PM
Buddyboy#76 Buddyboy#76 is offline
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Default Hydraulic lifter removal 2.5 liter 1998 4cyl

Ranger 4cyl 2.5 liter 1998.

When replacing faulty hydraulic lifters, is there a way to remove the cam follower. I can pop the follower off the lifter, but I am unable to get the cam follower off and out of the way so I can remove and install a new lifter. The cam lobe is pointing up. Do I have to use a special tool to suppress the valve spring so I can clear the cam follower? Is there a way to do this without buying the special tool as shown in the Haynes book. Will the valve drop if the spring is compressed? Will the valve retainer release if the valve spring is depressed? I am trying to do this without pressurizing the cylinder or dropping a valve.

My first post. I appreciate any help.
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Old 10-22-2018, 09:35 AM
tomboy tomboy is offline
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Default Re: Hydraulic lifter removal 2.5 liter 1998 4cyl

It doesn't take much pressure to push the valve down, unk has changed many of them without any trouble, but anything can happen.
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Old 10-22-2018, 06:34 PM
Buddyboy#76 Buddyboy#76 is offline
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Default Re: Hydraulic lifter removal 2.5 liter 1998 4cyl

I thought I would make a tool to compress the spring a small amount. I will try to push it down to free the cam follower first.

The valve retainer needs to remain engaged so one does not drop a valve.
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Old 10-23-2018, 07:05 AM
tomw0 tomw0 is offline
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Default Re: Hydraulic lifter removal 2.5 liter 1998 4cyl

When I did this to replace the valve stem seals, I used a lever to push the follower down and out of the way of the lobe. I cannot remember if it popped it off the lifter/support end first or last. It was not a fun job. The edges of the cam support 'towers' where the bearings are will cut the mumble out of your hands. Wear gloves.
Basic lever will do the job. Pulling the hydraulics, just take your time as they will have a bit of suction to overcome. The valves will be fine if you do not remove the keepers. Therefor, do NOT hammer on the valve spring or stem as they could pop loose...
tom
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Old 10-25-2018, 06:03 PM
Buddyboy#76 Buddyboy#76 is offline
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Default Re: Hydraulic lifter removal 2.5 liter 1998 4cyl

Will a universal valve spring tool for an overhead cam motor compress the spring enough to remove the cam follower? I am afraid to use a lever to pry the follower off as it may not be possible to replace.
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Old 10-26-2018, 05:54 AM
tomw0 tomw0 is offline
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Default Re: Hydraulic lifter removal 2.5 liter 1998 4cyl

I used a tool that I think was designed for the Chevy small block V8. It was a lever with a two-headed hook of some sort. The hook grabbed onto the valve spring and the lever was used to compress the spring, while the follower was maneuvered from atop the valve stem, out from under the cam lobe, and finally off the support.
It took changing positions on each valve to get the followers off, you had to approach each valve moving to make sure you could move the lever and had good attachment to the spring. The cam bearing towers got in the way a little, so called for even more moving.
If you can get a valve spring compressor that latches onto the bottom side of the cam, straddles the follower, and will compress the valve spring and move the valve down out of the way, you can then pick the follower from the the support and wiggle it out that way.
For exact details, ask a mechanic at your local dealer. There is likely 'a tool' that makes all the maneuvering a piece of cake. Problem is, it is not free...
tom
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