94 Escort 1.9L Lifter Question

I got a new set of roller lifters for my 94 Ford Escort 1.9L engine.

I was checking them out before installing and I found that the spring loaded lifter button on the top of lifters are quiet different from one another.

Some move down a good bit and pop right back up.
Some are super stiff and barely move at all!

Is this normal?

Is one type meant for the intake side and the other type meant for the exhaust side? :confused:

Ok, these are hydraulic lifters. I've never dealt with them before, so I had to look into it.

I think it's probably because some lifters have more oil/air stuck in them then others do. They are supposed to automatically adjust their height while running to eliminate valve train lash

Yup! Just verified it!

I bolted up the rocker arms and it was enough pressure to squeeze all of the oil out of the hydraulic lifters. Now they are all the same stiffness.

Do you always talk to yourself through an online forum? :lol:

Thanks for updating the thread. I'm sure someday someone will find this useful...maybe me.

When you first start an Escort engine with new lifters in it, you can expect quite a bit of valve clatter - till the oil fills the interior of the lifters. It might take ten minutes.
I like to check the roller on the bottom of those lifters, to make sure it is well oil and that it spins freely.

Thanks for the heads up!

And... yes, I do talk to myself on forum posts. I do it specifically for the purpose of others being able to learn from my mistakes while probably going down the exact same road that I had to travel myself.