The engines of yesteryear were pretty simple, with tappets clackity-clacking away on cam lobes, opening valves, and making a ruckus while doing it. Mechanical lifters were adequate for valve operation ...

A few days ago, we published a report highlighting the valve lifter issues some General Motors customers were experiencing in certain vehicles equipped with either its 5.3L V8 L84 gasoline engine or 6 ...

Back in 2021, a class action lawsuit was filed against General Motors over valve lifter-related issues in certain Cadillac, Chevy and GMC models outfitted with certain V8 gasoline engines. That ...

The Cummins 6.7L turbo diesel engine entered its fifth generation in 2019. In addition to improved output of up to 400 horsepower and 1,000 pound-feet of torque, the new engine's valve train featured ...

General Motors's Active Fuel Management (AFM) technology utilizes hydraulic valves, solenoids, and advanced software to shut down half of the cylinders in a V8 or V6 engine to save fuel. The system ...

Once upon a time, most car engines used solid or mechanical lifters. But unlike most fairy tales that begin that way, there was no lasting happy ending for them. Hydraulic lifters first appeared in ...

From the archives: The beauty of hydraulic lifters is that they self-compensate for valvetrain clearances, doing away with the need for valvetrain adjustment. To celebrate HOT ROD's 75th anniversary, ...

Jeff Blitz purchased his '66 Chevy II Nova four years ago, complete with a carbureted 10.5:1 355ci small-block Chevy, a TH350 automatic with a 3,000-rpm stall-speed converter, a 3.55:1 12-bolt rearend ...

Dear Tom and Ray: I drive a 1995 Ford Probe with roughly 138,000 miles on it. According to my mechanic, the rattlelike noise I hear as I drive is the result of valve tap. My mechanic indicated that it ...

We may receive a commission on purchases made from links. Decades ago, when cars and truck engines used solid lifters, a cacophonous drivetrain was to be expected. However, solid lifters were phased ...

Aaron, a 27-year automotive technician and lifelong car enthusiast, attended Specs Howard School of Media Arts and learned the fundamentals of digital video and editing, shot composition and writing.