i have a 5k in an 81 starlet (in NZ) which has problems with the valve clearances. they are out, but they have hydraulic lifters so i can't adjust them!! can the hydraulic lifters be replaced with solid lifters from another k engine? or is there any other way of replacing them with solid lifters? or do i have to go and buy now hydraulic lifters?

 

also i am thinking of putting a 4k head on it, would i be able to use the lifters and pushrods from the 4k head on my 5k? and is the cam the same with hydraulic and solid lifters?

 

cheers

i have completed a hydro to solid conversion with my 5K. its not that hard, if you are going to be putting the 4K head on it, just get some chev v8 solid lifters (also used in the 253 Holden V8) and then with the 4K head you need to use datsun A12 pushrods cause the 5K ones become too long.

 

i have heard of people ripping the guts out of the hydro lifter and getting longer pushrods to make them a solid lifter.

 

and i'm pretty sure, don't quote me on this, that the cams are different.

and i'm pretty sure, don't quote me on this, that the cams are different.

yes they will be

if you put a reground cam in an engine with hydraulic lifters, or shave the head to any extent it will stuff up your lifter preload, and valve clearances.

 

you need to shave the bottom of the rocker pedestals to account for the reduction in the cam base circle diameter and also the amount shaved off the head.

actually if you shave the head it gives you more lifter preload.

i have completed a hydro to solid conversion with my 5K

did you use a 4k head? and did you have to shave anything etc? what else is there to do apart from using chev lifters and datsun pushrods?? do i need to do anything to my cam?

Edited August 18, 200422 yr by kp60_nz

i used a 3K bigport head...it was shaved i'm pretty sure.....not sure how much though......

 

i think you have to regrind your cam as well.....as said above the cams will be different for solid and hydro

cheers for your help guys!

 

i think ill do the solid lifters in my 5k aye. did you use those same pistons when you did your 5k? cos they are dished heaps! if i wanted flatter pistons where could i get them from or do i have to buy new ones?

Edited August 19, 200422 yr by kp60_nz

one more question: if i do a hydro to solid conversion I'm going to need to do something to my cam, can i just get the 5k one reground or do i need to get a cam from a 4k? keeping in mind that I'm going to get it reground anyway to make it a bit more lumpier

 

cheers

he hunted for pistons with less dish but couldnt find any.

 

I suspect his head is shaved TONNES to bring the compression ratio up. alternatively you could not shave it at all and use it to lower the compression ratio and run a turbo or supercharger.

 

why do you want to run a 4K head? you might want to look at a 4K-E or 4K-U head. I believe they have dished pistons and that would be your best choice.

i just figured that a 4k head would be less dished than the 5k head and would bring the compression up!

I think you'll find its the other way round. 4Ks (in general) run flat top pistons so there is more head volume.

he hunted for pistons with less dish but couldnt find any.

 

I suspect his head is shaved TONNES to bring the compression ratio up. alternatively you could not shave it at all and use it to lower the compression ratio and run a turbo or supercharger.

yeah, i couldnt find any, however i didnt really look around that much.

 

yes the head is shaved a bit cause i couldnt see any difference between the 5k and the 3k head that i got back from him.....i mean i know you can't see that much without measuring it but it looked EXACTLY the same

does your head still have the notch? whats left of it should give you an idea of how much its been shaved

what notch?