As seen in Speedboat Magazine’s
March 2022 Issue.
Johnson Lifter Options
Dear Bob:
Q. I am building a 540 cubic inch engine with a Mark IV GM block. I am looking to purchase hydraulic roller lifters. I plan to run a cam with .632″ lift. I noticed there is a Johnson standard lifter and a Johnson high lift lifter. Could you recommend one over the other? Thanks!
Byron Scholle
Cincinnati, OH
Dear Bob:
Q. I am wanting to know when using your 2116BBR-T lifters in a Gen VI Big Block, what modifications will be needed to the valley tray? Thank you for your time.
Jim Sanders
Orlando, FL
Top: Johnson 2116BBR-T tie-bar style and Johnson 2510R Gen VI drop-in lifters. Above: Marked Valley Tray in Denting tool.
A. Johnson offers five lifters for the Big Block Chevrolet with tie bars and one for the Gen VI blocks that use the “dog bones” to align them. Part #2112BB is a standard replacement lifter for OEM applications, which we do not use for performance marine engines. The “Race” 2112BBR is a stock dimension lifter that can only be used in stock GM blocks and is a reduced travel lifter (.093″). The ST2112BBR is also a stock height lifter that has a short travel plunger (.058″) and is suitable for ultra high performance applications with rpm ranges above 7000. The 2116BBR-T is the reduced travel version that is .300″ taller. The ST2116BBR is the short travel version that is .300″ taller.
You can’t use the OEM height lifter in most aftermarket blocks, and there’s no downside to using the .300″ taller version in the stock GM blocks. We prefer the .093″ travel version over the .058″ version for most high performance marine applications because the adjustment is a little less critical.
Part #2510R lifter is the Gen VI drop in replacement that has the same internals as the 2116BBR-T and also uses the stock length pushrods. While the other versions require a longer push rod compared to stock.
If the .300” tall lifters are used in a Gen VI block that has the valley tray, the tray has to be modified by creating a dent to provide clearance for the tie bar. Alternatively, you can use part #2112BBR in a Gen V or VI block that has the valley tray and clearance modification will not be necessary.
Far left: Valley Tray and Marking template. Left center: Valley Tray Denting tool. Left: Valley Tray with completed modification.
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