Soaking Hydraulic Lifters-Yay Or Nay?

[BlueOvalFitter]

When I worked as a line tech for a Chevy dealership we used a can of GM EOS lube for new cam lube. The 305 engine kept us busy with cam and lifter replacements as well as pulling heads for worn valve guides. I had a 305 in a new (79) Camaro I bought my wife. I used Phillips 66 Trop Artic 10w40. Never had either cam or valve guide failure. Loved that oil…

Man, the 305 was notorious for breaking cams.

 

[ARCOgraphite]

NO "soaking" whatever that is.
many new oils don't cling to metal - you see it not even cling to some dipsticks. Prefer HD 30 for break-in AND the next fill.

I put them in a coffee can, pump them up with a pushrod. after install I do spin up the oil pump through the DIST hole with a drill adapter.
Most engines I built have been gen 1 SBC so they get a special cut away valve covers and get a running "race" preload of
1/4 turn (.01") down** from when they stop clacking after a near zero lash cold. Buick with a rocker shaft get bolted down with the lifters "primed and pumped".

- Ken

______________
** there will more effective preload at the lifter plunger due to lever dis-advantage

 

[PontiacHO]

NO "soaking" whatever that is.
many new oils don't cling to metal - you see it not even cling to some dipsticks. Prefer HD 30 for break-in AND the next fill.

I put them in a coffee can, pump them up with a pushrod. after install I do spin up the oil pump through the DIST hole with a drill adapter.
Most engines I built have been gen 1 SBC so they get a special cut away valve covers and get a running "race" preload of
1/4 turn (.01") down** from when they stop clacking after a near zero lash cold. Buick with a rocker shaft get bolted down with the lifters "primed and pumped".

- Ken

______________
** there will more effective preload at the lifter plunger due to lever dis-advantage

Yep. I think they did idle better and rev harder with less than 1/2 turn lash.