Guideline For Reusable Parts And Salvage Operations

Visual Inspection of the 7N-4782 Lifter Guide Spring 3500 Fmaily of Engines

Media Number -SEBF8172-02 Publication Date -04/04/2000 Date Updated -11/12/2001

Visual Inspection of the 7N-4782 Lifter Guide Spring 3500

Fmaily of Engines
SMCS - 1112

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SEBF8172-02
April 2000
SMCS Code: 1112

GUIDELINE FOR
REUSABLE PARTS
AND SALVAGE
OPERATIONS
Visual Inspection of the
7N-4782 Lifter Guide Spring
3500 Family of Engines

Summary of Revisions

Page Description

All Revised Format.

3 Removed part numbers from Illustration 6.

Introduction
This Guideline enables dealers and their customers to benefit from cost reductions
made possible through an established parts reusability and salvage program. Every
effort has been made to provide the most current and relevant information known to
Caterpillar Inc. Since the Company makes ongoing changes and improvements to its
products, this Guideline must be used with the latest technical information available
from Caterpillar to ensure such changes and improvements are incorporated where
applicable.

For questions or additional information concerning this Guideline, contact Caterpillar

Service Support Division, Dealer Support (309) 675-5487.

Summary
This Guideline gives the correct procedure to visually inspect used lifter guide springs.
Following this procedure will determine if they can be used again.

Lifter guide springs that meet these inspection guidelines and specifications can be
expected to perform normally in the same application until the next overhaul. Never
install a part that this Guideline indicates cannot be used again.

Until now, the recommendation was to install a new lifter guide spring on the valve lifter
any time the lifters were removed. This prior recommendation is found in most service
literature (including the older service manual for 3500 Family of Engines). Before
installing a used or reconditioned part, correct any conditions that may have caused the
original wear.

Inspecting for Wear

Illustrations 1 through 5 show types of wear common to 7N-4782 Lifter Guide Springs.
Never reuse a spring showing signs of nicks, cracks, pitting, or corrosion. Never reuse a
spring that is bent or has a flat area. Never reuse a spring if either the lifter or camshaft
has any unusual (not common) wear.

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Illustration 1
Wear is normal and acceptable at these three locations.

Use again

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Illustration 2

This type of wear is permissible.

Use again
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Illustration 3

This wear is normal and acceptable.

Use again

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Illustration 4

Wear is not acceptable which runs along the outside circumference of the spring (and which connects all three normal wear locations shown
in Illustration 1).

Do not use again

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Illustration 5

This spring shows signs of metal that has moved. These signs can be due to smearing, fretting, or scuffing.

Do not use again

Correct Installation of a Valve Lifter

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Illustration 6

Nomenclature and location of components.

(1) Camshaft.
(2) Lifter assembly.
(3) Spring.
(4) Rod.
(5) Adjustment screw.
(6) Rocker arm.

NOTICE

Valve failures are possible if the valve

lifters are incorrectly installed in the
cylinder head.

During assembly, the springs can be

pushed too deeply into the head if, the
lifter assemblies are pushed all the way
into the cylinder head or the cylinder
head is put down on the lifter
assemblies.

As a result of incorrect installation, the

springs will not permit the lifter
assemblies to contact the camshaft. The
springs are very strong. Therefore,
service personnel can adjust the valve
lash and not know that the lifter
assemblies are not against the
camshaft. When the engine is started,
the springs will move downward. As a
result, the valve lash adjustment will
change, and valve failures are possible.

To prevent the problems stated in the above NOTICE, refer to the following steps.

1. Do not put the head down on the lifter assemblies.

2. After the installation of the head and rocker arm assemblies, push down on each
rocker assembly and tap the adjustment screw with a plastic hammer. This will
force the components against each other.

Note: If the cam is in the position shown in Illustration 6, tapping on the

adjusting screw will not properly seat the spring. The lifter must be on the
base circle of the camshaft to be properly seated.

After Step 2 is completed, the service manual procedure must be used to adjust the
valve lash.

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