My Nissan 200sx S13 has done me proud. Over 2 years, 300bhp and 120000 miles without a rebuild it has finally bitten the bullet and died. It managed todo 3 to 4 drift days and various sneeky roundabout trips, before giving up. However onward and upwards this little section of JapPower will host my engine rebuild project. This will be my first ever rebuild and im hoping to learn a few things and make a reliable 350-400hp CA18DET in the process.

The First part of my rebuild came earlier in the week from a nice chap on driftworks. Its my new Norris Designs ported head. It looks like it has done very little miles or it has been very well looked after. After unpacking if found the hydraulic lifters everywhere in the box. I recalled that you are not meant to turn the lifters over as they can get air in them and cause problems with the valves. I decided i would take them apart clean up the lifters.

I found a guide on how to clean and refurbish 300zx lifters which appeard to be the same as my CA18 ones. First job was to release the pressure in the lifters. This was done by hitting the lifter on something hard like a vise. I kept hitting the lifters with increased force until the little piston was flush with the bottom of the lifter casing. Next I simply pulled the piston out using a pair of plyers. Next job was to pull the piston apart but pulling the internal metal part out. this revealed a small spring. All the part where then put in a cleaning solution over night.

After the cleaning solution has done its job I washed all the parts in warm soapy water then blasted them with the air compressor to remove all of the air. The process of putting the lifters back together it also an easy job. first put the spring back into the larger metal container. make sure the spring is inside the little recess. Fill the lifters with oil but leave about 2-3mm at the top. next slide the other part of the lifter with the little valve pointing down. You will then need a little allen key to push down on the little bal baring in the middle of the lifter. Push down on the lifter so untill you cannot push down any more. Next let the spring force the internal lifter part back up, but remembering to keep the ball baring push down. Once completed just put the cap on top.

The next process was to insert the pistons into the lifter casing. I did this by putting the lifter in the casing and then pushing down on the casing until the lifter got push in. You have to be careful on to dislodge the top cap as it is only held by gravity.