My solution

[desertsubaru]

This is my solution to hold the lifters on to install the the cam tower so they don't fall off. To make it easier to pull the zip ties out after i cut them i tie a piece of fishing string to the zip ties.

 

[kerandt]

Howdy desertsubaru. Some thick grease dabbed in the holes of the arms works well too. Hey whatever works right? Guess there's more than one way to skin a cat.

[desertsubaru]

Yeah I know the grease trick but this makes sure they don't fall off.

[MilesFox]

I like it. Very clever. It is so obvious that no one thought of it. those are the best ideas. Grease doesn't always work.

[desertsubaru]

I like it. Very clever. It is so obvious that no one thought of it. those are the best ideas. Grease doesn't always work.

Thanks Miles. Quick question. I had all the HLAs and lifters in a box in the order they belonged in the head but my dog hit the box and spilled it. Is it going to matter much if they are not in the order they came off?

[wentz912]

Thanks Miles. Quick question. I had all the HLAs and lifters in a box in the order they belonged in the head but my dog hit the box and spilled it. Is it going to matter much if they are not in the order they came off?

 

 

Just got done doing the headgaskets on my wagon, also dropped mine , I just stuffed them back in since I didn't have the slightest idea which one belonged where. Seems to run fine minus my enormous exhaust leak.

[TomRhere]

Idealy, one would want to put the pieces back where they came from, just to keep the wear patterns between parts the same.

 

But with that said, it really doesn't matter that much on a daily driver. It isn't going to cause any "great catastrophy" under the hood.

[rpholz]

Oh man, internet high five. I've fought with those things way to much in the past. Like miles said it's so simple no one thought of it. 15324234 internet points to you!

[desertsubaru]

Just make sure when you cut the zip tie that the fishing string is on the square part of the zip tie then cut the tie. I didn't do that step at first and got one stuck in the spring and it took 15 minutes to get it out with a screwdriver and needle nose pliers .

Also Dontn tighten the cam tower bolts all the way at first just enough to hold the lifters on when you cut the tie. This allows you to pull the tie out easyer .

[MilesFox]

I have accidentally mixed them up between themselves, or other engines for parts, with no adverse affects.

[Indrid cold]

great idea... just did some head gasket (no issues) and did the hold the breath and pray nothing goes.. clunk. I will try that next time and loose the stress factor.

 

off subject but same, on my 2000 Ford focus where the electrical connectors get brittle on the fuel injectors (under the Intake manifold) I ziptie those electrical connectors to the fuel rails as the clips can fail. I even zip around the spark plug wires on the electronic ignition as they have those cheapy clippy things that suppose to hold them on... zip ties, cheap, effective..