Jesel Valvetrain – Lifters FAQ’s

Jesel Lifter Cross Section Pro Bushed Lifters

The Great American Valvetrain Co.

Lifters

What type of oil should I use?

We recommend soaking the lifters in mineral based oil prior to installation as well as pre-lubing the engine prior to startup. After initial engine break-in, if you are going to use synthetic based oil, we highly recommend oils containing high zinc content formulated for racing applications. Synthetic oils formulated for street use are not recommended due to a lack of zinc content.

Do your lifters have a pressurized oiling circuit?

Yes, all of the lifters we manufacture since 1995 have an internal oiling circuit that feeds pressurized oil to the needle bearings in the roller insuring constant lubrication and elimination of any contaminants. There is also a feed hole that sprays oil to the outside diameter of the roller to help prevent cam lobe wear.

Jesel Sportsman Tie Bar Lifters

Should I be running oil restrictors?

No. Let the lifters be the restrictors. With the spring pressures and ratios being used in today’s racing engines, the lifters need as much oil to them as they can possibly get. Whenever possible, we suggest plumbing the block so that oil is fed equally to the lifters through the front and rear of the oil galley. In the event that you are getting excessive oil to the top end, provisions should be made for better oil drain back to the pan; either by external scavenging lines or internal drains.

How much lifter-to-bore clearance should I be running?

For a cast iron or bronze bushed blocks, we recommend running +.002” clearance cold. If you are running your lifters in an aluminum block without bushings, we recommend running +.0012” clearance cold and preheating the block prior to startup.

What is the advantage to using a larger diameter roller?

Jesel Pro Tie Bar Lifters

The larger the diameter, the stronger the roller. This is due to an increased cross sectional area between the I.D. and the O.D. of the roller. Also, a larger diameter roller rotates slower and reduces the loads needed to open the valvetrain. You may have to adjust your cam specs when using a larger diameter roller due to an increase in duration. A larger diameter roller may allow you to get more aggressive with your opening ramp design.

Why are your lifters so expensive?

The cost is a result of the highest quality materials being produced in small, quality controlled lots held to tolerances as low as .0001” of an inch. All components, with the exception of the needle bearings, are manufactured in our Lakewood, NJ facility on dedicated CNC machining centers and processed using the latest aerospace coatings and heat-treating procedures.

Why are your pushrod seats so low?

The closer the pushrod pivot point is to the bottom of the roller, the less leverage there is for the body to “rock” in the lifter bore. Think of it this way, if you’re trying to tip something over, the higher you push, the easier it gets.

I don’t see a snap ring holding in the axle. How is the axle held in?

Jesel Lifter Cross Section Pro Bushed Lifters

All Jesel lifters feature an internal locking pin that secures the axle to the body. With our design, external snap rings and spirolocs that occasionally come loose causing severe engine damage is eliminated.

When should I replace my lifters?

Unfortunately there is no set time. There are many factors to consider such as operating environment, oil used and valvetrain stability. With proper care and maintenance, it is not uncommon for a lifter in a circle track application to see 2000 miles and a drag car with hundreds of passes down the strip. Jesel can inspect your lifters and provide you feedback on the expected life.

Can my lifters be rebuilt?

Most lifters purchased after June 2007 can be fully rebuilt. The procedure takes about a week and is only done here in our Lakewood, NJ facility. Due to design changes, we do not recommend rebuilding lifters purchased prior to June 2007.

If you are interested in any of the Jesel product line, we here at Uzbasic Motorsports are an approved Dealership for Jesel Sportsman, Pro, and Nitro/Alcohol Series Rockers and Lifters, as well as Belt Drives and Cam Cores. Contact Us and we will get you taken care of. Just let us know what you need.

If you’re a fan of Jesel products, then go take a look at some of these other articles.

Jesel Valvetrain – Rockers FAQ’s

Jesel Belt Drives – FAQ’s

Jesel Valvetrain Products

Article and images provided by Jesel Drivetrain Innovations.

Shopping Cart
Scroll to Top
Uzbasic logo inverted color

Join our mailing list to get Motorsports updates and Product information

Independently verified
131 reviews