Will the real, Johnson Tappets please stand up

[Dragsinger]

I would like to know, without doubt or question, were the Original, Johnson Lifters can be bought.

[ProPower engines]

Are you looking for hyd. or solid lifters?
If I remember correctly Johnson Hy-lift is owned by Top-Line in Michigan.
I do know there lifters are not what they used to be 15-20 yrs ago when they bernill all their lifters.

[Dragsinger]

I sent this email to this link: http://www.wathomas.com/flash_index.html

Sirs,

please send contact info as to where I can buy your lifters. I find the market to be very confusing and I want to be positive I am buying your product, not some look like copy.

Thanks
Larry Woodfin - owner
Woodfin Automotive
2402 N Longview St.
Kilgore TX 75662
903-983-2277 [shop]
903-985-1162 [cell]
larry.woodfin@gmail.com

[EDC]

I would like to know, without doubt or question, were the Original, Johnson Lifters can be bought.

When I buy from Top Line, they come in a tray but singles are in a "Johnson Tappet" box....

www.toplineauto.com

773-487-1400

[Dragsinger]

Alan, Thanks for the contact info, that is what I needed.

[CamKing]

I sell the complete line of Johnson lifters.

[fullpull320]

which johnson lifter company ,topline hylift johnson or johnson lifters /wa thomas company ,whos the real mcCoy?

[Walter R. Malik]

which johnson lifter company ,topline hylift johnson or johnson lifters /wa thomas company ,whos the real mcCoy?

Neither ...
Johnson Hylift in western Michigan went bankrupt some years ago so, another Johnson Lifter Company began in the Detroit area.
Top Line bought the entire "Johnson Hylift" operation and started it producing lifters again.

That is where it stands now; two different companies ... one "Hylift" and one NOT.

[F-BIRD'88]

Is there a visable ,ID able difference between the 2 ?
Current lifters, not 20 years ago.
Are either any good, now?

[rp930]

Is there a visable ,ID able difference between the 2 ?
Current lifters, not 20 years ago.
Are either any good, now?

I don’t think Mike Jones would be selling them if they weren’t any good.

[rebelyell]

FWIW
Seems all three companies: Johnson Lifters, WA Thomas and SEC share same physical address at Taylor, Michigan.
Seems all three have one another's links on each of their respected sites.
https://johnsonlifters.com/

Alternately, seems Hylift-Johnson-Topline has offices at Florida, Illinois and Muskegon, Michigan.
https://toplineauto.com/

Not certain, but seems none of the above advertise rollers with No needle bearings (bushed).

[ProPower engines]

Is there a visable ,ID able difference between the 2 ?
Current lifters, not 20 years ago.
Are either any good, now?

The Johnson lifter company owned by top-line automotive while they profess to be the best They are not the company that Isky used for FT lifters.
Now the other Johnson lifters made them for Isky till they stopped production some years ago. I spoke to Ron and Richard about this and while they get their FT stuff from Hi-lift Johnson they are concerned about hardness and quality but they both told me they are the only game in town in the USA for FT lifters they considered to supplement their sales of FT cams.
Now I have only seen Hi-lift Johnson producing FT stuff for GM but Mopar stuff is made by Eaton.

I have used both of their Hyd roller lifters and the HLJ lifters failed every time in late model hemi's where the other that was tried was Johnson and they were fine and have been every time since.
Local dealerships use the HLJ lifters and they are still problematic. At least up here thats what I am seeing.

I am told that Delphi also quit making FT stuff as well.

There is several brand names for solid lifters in the roller category. I have also seen a new player on the market Bam lifters but have no idea of their origin but they are said to be very good in both Hyd. and solid roller versions.

The drop in roller lifters there is several different appearances depending on how old the stock is.
The marine lifters used to have a black colored push rod cup from Delphi but that seems to have passed now as well.

Bottom line is I will call Johnson lifters for my lifter needs.

Morel lifters had noise issues and when you talk to H L J they claim they make the one and the same lifters morel made.
Their tech guys are not shy about claiming that either. We sell the Morel lifters made by H L J...................

[CamKing]

We use Hy-Lift Johnson for all our flat tappet lifters, and have for decades. Most major performance cam companies use them too, or buy imports.
We don't sell many mild cams. Most of our flat tappet cams are for racing, and require 380-420lbs of spring pressure. We have no lifter issues.
Back in the early 90's we sold Eaton lifters, but when they moved their manufacturing to Mexico, we had multiple lifter failures. We bounced around with a few different lifter suppliers, then settled on Hylift-Johnson. For over 2 decades, they have been a very reliable lifter for us. They're price is a little higher, but our reputation demands we put quality ahead of price.

[rebelyell]

Also, it seems the Johnson Lifters of Taylor Michigan does Not offer flat tappet lifters; only rollers.

[ProPower engines]

Also, it seems the Johnson Lifters of Taylor Michigan does Not offer flat tappet lifters; only rollers.

You are correct. They discontinued production of FT stuff several years ago.