Hydraulic lifters, VR6, solid or springy?

[Jim Bowen 1]

Just dismantling my head from the engine that suffered oil starvation. And noticed that with cams removed and head off the car, some of the lifters i could push down with my fingers and some rock solid.

 

Took them out and the nipple bit in middle of lifter, i can push in and out with a squeeze, while others are solid.

 

Does this mean anything? The head has been off car for about a year so is it just the oil has drained from some. Just debating whether to buy another set or reuse them? They have done 3000 miles but would also be going in a different engine.

[Jim Bowen 1]

Managed to pull the middle bit out of one lifter, was interested to have a look

 

 

 

The little piston seems to have a tiny ring on it, i wonder if this is meant to form a seal?

 

 

No matter what i tried i couldn't get the squishy lifters to go firm, so ordered a complete new set, am wondering if its these lifters that cause the tappy top end a few suffer from.