Collapsing Lifters to check rocker gap

Doug,
I have never had a problem bleeding down Franklin lifters. Even before I made a tool, I was able to do it with a long box end wrench on the adjusting nut. Lycomings are another story. I have had to take them apart in order to come up with a flat lifter for clearance checks. On Lycomings, there is no adjustment. You select push rods! Another example of Superior Engineering on Franklins!
Are you sure you are applying force in the correct direction? Also, it takes seemingly forever of applying force to get a lifter bled down.
How long has it been since the engine has run? You may have totally stuck lifters if it has been years.

Larry Wheelock

I fly it regularly Larry. I had a post on the other forum that it might take some time to bleed down. I'll try a little patience!

Doug,
If you have been flying it and the rockers are not broken or push rods bent, the lifters are not stuck. Patience may be the key. Sometimes it is difficult to get the pressure just in the correct direction to bleed them down. I have rarely seen changes in gap if they were set correctly originally and nothing bad has happened. Cam wear is not a normal problem on Franklins. Lifter pushrod and rockers are not often troublemakers, only stuck exhaust valves from lead in 100LL.
the original F150s had stamped steel rockers instead of forged rockers. They sometimes break when a valve sticks. I know from 3 experiences..
F150s just cannot tolerate a steady diet of 100LL (high lead) and lover mogas without alcohol.

Try again.

Larry

Well, a little patience and a longer fulcrum did the deed.
I started out with the 15" bar called out in the Data Base. I used an 18" bar and next time I'll use a 24". Piece of cake...