VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Valve lifter Question.

Gathering parts to install in my 261 engine for my 53 Chevy.
I have new in box lifters Sealed Power AT-887 and used ones in the 235 and extra set.
The ones in the 235 and extra set are not hollow, the new AT-887 lifters have a hole down the middle and across the lifter about 1/2 inch up from bottom of lifter.
Can anyone tell me the difference?
Both are the same diameter and same length.
Both are suppose to be solid lifters.
Will both sets work for a solid lifter cam?

Depends on what year 261 you have.
If it is a 1957 or older the stright sided lifters are correct. If it is a VERY late 1957 or newer the lifters with the recess around the sides is correct.
The 1954-1957 engine has the little oil line under side side push rod cover. It runs from the rear lower area to the center top. The very late 1957 and up has NO oil line.
The early engine got the rocker arm oil supply from the rear cam bearing. From there it was "piped" up to the head.
The late engines with no oil line had the oil pass from the front and rear cam journals, by passing all the lifters, meeting in the center and then passing (through the block casting,) up to the rocker arms. The recesses are to allow the oil to pass around each lifer and eventually get to the rocker arms. If a block with hydraulic lifters it (the oil) was around the lifter so as to allow it to pump up.

54-57 I have been told cast number 3733950.
Has oil line lifter cover rear to top center.
Lifters # AT-887 Sealed Power Brand look like the O'reilly Auto Parts JB-887 as far as I can tell?
Thanks for the reply.