I haven't been able to find a specific post regarding this 'alternative' method for replacing the lifters. I do know that I REALLY don't want to mess with the timing on this car ( a total pain).

From what I have gathered:
jack the car, remove tire, expose cams/lifters, look for the cam/lifter that is extended, pry like hell with 2 screwdrivers to remove worn lifter, install in reverse, rotate engine to extend next set.

is this the general idea? lol

I should've replaced these last year when I replaced valves/head gasket/all timing components. And at the moment I'm not worried about the rockers (hopefully).

OH..by the way..this has nothing to do with the lifters...but when I replaced my head gasket-I didn't replace the bolts or switch to studs, now I'm suffering from oil leak at the corners. Is it safe to remove one at a time and cut...or do I have to go through the entire process?? :-)

Originally posted by brandons_97gs
pry like hell with 2 screwdrivers to remove worn lifter

good luck with that and report back with results... i'm kidding obviously. try this at your own risk but be prepared to fail. Sorry, but you'll have to go the long route and yes, mess with your timing.

the rockers sit atop of the lifters and the cam lobes are pushing down on the rockers because of the bolts on the cam caps holding the cams down. You could POSSIBLY loosen up some bolts in sequence and try that way, but you'd probably cause further problems you wouldn't want to encounter. Maybe you'll strip out a thread on the head from the pressure of the cap bolts, or your timing belt won't let you loosen and lift the cams high enough because of how tight the timing belt is around the gears. Because there's no lee-way (sp?), you won't be able to 'pry' your way out of this one. I wouldn't try it if I were you.

sorry bud, we've all been there. good luck.

Actually, you can pull the rockers out while the cam is in. Basically set up a cylinder so that both the cam lobes are facing up (that way you have the most clearance). Then you will have to use your screwdriver to do the pry trick. You are pushing down on the valve spring, while trying to flip out the rocker. Kinda tricky, but doable. Just don't force the valve WAY down into the piston, lol.

Originally posted by bullettdsm
Actually, you can pull the rockers out while the cam is in. Basically set up a cylinder so that both the cam lobes are facing up (that way you have the most clearance). Then you will have to use your screwdriver to do the pry trick. You are pushing down on the valve spring, while trying to flip out the rocker. Kinda tricky, but doable. Just don't force the valve WAY down into the piston, lol.

Ya, def. doable. There were some posts on here long ago describing the process. But bulletDSM laid it out pretty well in his post.

Just did this about 1 week ago works good, but not as easy as it is on the 4g63 engine.. lol

Anyhow like post above, you might have to rotate some to get the lobes off the rockers but anyhow, i did my rockers and lifters with the screwdriver trick, pair of plyers and a friend with a extra screwdriver to push the rockers over when there going back in..

Takes about 35 mins