Lifters/Tappets - All

Complete replacement of all hydraulic valve lifters/tappets in the 3.0L V6 Twin Turbo engine, requiring removal of camshafts, rocker arms, and valve train components from both cylinder banks.

Warnings

Tools required

Parts

• Hydraulic valve lifters/tappets (set of 24) × 1 — Use OEM Maserati specification
• Valve cover gaskets (left and right) × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Camshaft bearing cap gaskets/seals × 4 — Use OEM specification
• Camshaft position sensor O-rings × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Timing cover gasket × 1 — Use OEM specification
• Intake manifold gaskets × 2 — Use OEM specification
• Engine oil and filter × 1 — Selenia Racing 10W-60
• Gasket sealant (Maserati approved) × 1 — Loctite 5970 or equivalent
• Assembly lubricant (molybdenum disulfide) × 1 — Use OEM specification

Fluids

• Selenia Racing 10W-60 — 5.5 qt

Preparation

1. Position vehicle on level surface and engage parking brake. Ensure adequate lighting and workspace around engine compartment.
2. Disconnect negative battery terminal and wait 10 minutes for system capacitors to discharge.
3. Remove engine cover panels and decorative trim pieces to access valve covers.
4. Drain engine oil completely and remove oil filter. Allow minimum 30 minutes for complete drainage.
5. Remove air intake system, turbocharger inlet ducting, and intercooler piping as needed for access.
6. Relieve fuel system pressure by removing fuel pump fuse and cranking engine until it fails to start.
7. Disconnect fuel lines and mark all vacuum lines, electrical connectors, and sensor positions with labels or photographs.
8. Remove intake manifold assembly after disconnecting all associated sensors, PCV system, and mounting hardware.
9. Position cylinder 1 to Top Dead Center (TDC) on compression stroke using crankshaft alignment marks.
10. Prepare clean workspace with parts organizer. Label all components with cylinder bank (left/right) and position numbers.
11. Have Maserati/Ferrari service documentation available for timing mark references specific to this engine variant.

Procedure

1. 1

   Remove valve covers and verify engine timing
   Remove valve cover bolts in reverse of tightening sequence from both banks. Carefully lift valve covers and inspect gasket condition. Verify camshaft timing marks are aligned with TDC indicators on both cylinder banks. Install camshaft locking tools to secure camshafts in TDC position before proceeding. Photograph timing mark alignment for reference.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts18 Nm (13 lb-ft)
2. 2

   Remove accessory drive components and timing chain cover
   Remove serpentine belt and tensioner. Remove crankshaft pulley using appropriate holding tool. Remove timing chain cover bolts in sequence and carefully separate cover from engine block. Inspect timing chain tensioner condition and verify chain alignment marks are visible and aligned. Do NOT rotate crankshaft or camshafts from this point forward.
   ⚠️Camshaft locking tools MUST remain installed. Any rotation will alter timing and cause engine damage.
   Torque spec

   Cover Bolts18 Nm (13 lb-ft)
3. 3

   Remove timing chain tensioners and guides
   Release timing chain tension by carefully removing hydraulic tensioners from both banks. Remove timing chain guides and mark their positions. Support timing chain with wire or zip ties to prevent chain from falling into engine cavity. Verify all timing marks remain aligned before proceeding to camshaft removal.
   Torque spec

   Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
4. 4

   Remove camshaft position sensors
   Disconnect electrical connectors from camshaft position sensors on both cylinder banks. Remove sensor mounting bolts and carefully extract sensors. Inspect O-rings and replace during reassembly. Store sensors in clean, protected location away from magnetic tools or debris.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)
5. 5

   Remove rocker arm assemblies
   With camshafts still locked in position, remove rocker arm shaft bolts in reverse sequence starting from ends and working toward center. Carefully lift rocker arm shaft assemblies from cylinder head, keeping each bank's components separate. Inspect rocker arm contact surfaces for wear. Place rocker arms in organized trays maintaining original position order.
   ⚠Rocker arms must be reinstalled in exact original positions. Label each component clearly with cylinder number and intake/exhaust designation.
   Torque spec

   Rocker Arm Shaft Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
6. 6

   Remove camshaft bearing caps and camshafts
   Carefully loosen camshaft bearing cap bolts in multiple passes (minimum 3 passes) in reverse sequence, starting from outer caps and working toward center. Remove bearing caps and mark each with cylinder bank, position number, and orientation arrow. Remove camshaft locking tools temporarily and carefully lift camshafts straight up from cylinder heads. Inspect camshaft lobes and bearing journals for wear or scoring. Store camshafts on padded surface where they cannot roll.
   ⚠️Bearing caps are machined matched sets and cannot be interchanged. Improper installation will cause immediate bearing failure and engine destruction.
   ⚠Never allow camshafts to rest on lobes. Support only by bearing journals to prevent lobe damage.
   Torque spec

   Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)

   Camshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
7. 7

   Extract lifters and inspect bores
   Using magnetic pickup tool, carefully remove all lifters from their bores. Keep lifters organized by cylinder number and intake/exhaust position even though they will be replaced. Inspect lifter bores for scoring, excessive wear, or debris. Clean each bore thoroughly with lint-free cloth and compressed air. Measure bore diameter at multiple points with dial bore gauge if available—any out-of-round condition exceeding 0.05mm requires cylinder head service. Inspect lifter contact surfaces on camshaft lobes for pitting or wear patterns.
   ⚠If any lifter bore shows scoring or damage, cylinder head must be inspected by machine shop before proceeding. Damaged bores will destroy new lifters immediately.
8. 8

   Prepare and install new lifters
   Remove new lifters from packaging and submerge in clean Selenia Racing 10W-60 engine oil. Allow lifters to soak for minimum 30 minutes. Prime each lifter by compressing slowly in oil bath until no air bubbles emerge (repeat 10-15 compressions per lifter). Coat lifter bores liberally with assembly lubricant. Install each lifter into its bore, rotating slightly while inserting to ensure proper seating. Verify all lifters move freely in their bores with no binding. Allow lifters to sit undisturbed for 15 minutes to bleed down internal pressure.
   ⚠Lifters MUST be properly primed and bled down. Failure to do so will cause excessive valve lash and potential component damage on initial startup.
9. 9

   Clean and prepare camshaft bearing surfaces
   Thoroughly clean all camshaft bearing surfaces in cylinder head and bearing caps using lint-free cloths and approved solvent. Inspect bearing surfaces under bright light for any scoring or discoloration. Apply thin, even coat of assembly lubricant to all bearing surfaces. Clean camshaft journals and apply assembly lubricant liberally to journals and lobes. Verify oil supply passages in cylinder head are clear by blowing compressed air through oil galleries.
10. 10

    Install camshafts with timing verification
    Carefully lower camshafts into cylinder head bearing saddles, ensuring intake and exhaust camshafts are in correct positions (verify by casting marks). Align camshaft timing marks to TDC position before installing bearing caps. Install bearing caps in correct positions using marked orientations. Apply light coat of engine oil to bearing cap bolt threads. Tighten camshaft bearing cap bolts in sequence from center outward in minimum 3 progressive passes: first pass 5 Nm, second pass 10 Nm, final pass 14 Nm. Verify camshafts rotate smoothly by hand after torquing. Install camshaft locking tools to verify timing alignment.
    ⚠️Camshaft timing MUST be exact. Double-check timing marks before and after bearing cap installation. Any deviation will cause valve-to-piston contact.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Bearing Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)

    Camshaft Cap Bolts14 Nm (10 lb-ft)
11. 11

    Install rocker arm assemblies
    Verify each camshaft lobe is positioned pointing away from its corresponding rocker arm before installation. Lubricate rocker arm contact surfaces and shaft bores with assembly lubricant. Position rocker arm shaft assemblies onto cylinder head, ensuring each rocker arm aligns with its corresponding lifter and valve stem. Install rocker arm shaft bolts and tighten evenly in sequence from center outward. Perform final torque in two passes: first pass 15 Nm, final pass 25 Nm. Manually rotate camshafts through two complete revolutions (with locking tools removed) to verify smooth operation and proper valve clearance. Reinstall locking tools and verify timing marks.
    ⚠Each rocker arm bolt must be torqued only when its corresponding cam lobe is pointing away from the rocker arm. Tightening under valve load will cause incorrect geometry.
    Torque spec

    Rocker Arm Shaft Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
12. 12

    Install camshaft position sensors and timing components
    Install new O-rings on camshaft position sensors lubricated with clean engine oil. Install sensors and torque mounting bolts to specification. Reconnect electrical connectors. Remove wire supports from timing chains and verify chains are properly seated on camshaft sprockets. Install timing chain guides and tensioners. Install tensioner mounting bolts to specification. Clean timing cover mating surfaces thoroughly and apply gasket sealant to specified areas per service manual. Install new timing cover gasket and timing cover, torquing bolts in specified sequence.
    Torque spec

    Camshaft Position Sensor10 Nm (7 lb-ft)

    Cover Bolts18 Nm (13 lb-ft)

    Mounting Bolts50 Nm (37 lb-ft)
13. 13

    Install valve covers and intake manifold
    Clean valve cover and cylinder head mating surfaces completely. Install new valve cover gaskets ensuring proper seating in cover grooves. Position valve covers and install bolts finger-tight. Torque valve cover bolts in sequence from center outward to specification (10 Nm). Install new intake manifold gaskets and position intake manifold assembly. Install intake manifold bolts and tighten in sequence from center outward. Reconnect all fuel lines, vacuum hoses, PCV system, and electrical connectors using reference photos.
    Torque spec

    Cover Bolts18 Nm (13 lb-ft)

    Intake Manifold Bolts25 Nm (18 lb-ft)
14. 14

    Complete engine reassembly and perform initial priming
    Install new oil filter and fill engine with 5.5 quarts of Selenia Racing 10W-60 engine oil. Reinstall crankshaft pulley, accessory drive belt, and all remaining components. Remove camshaft locking tools. Disable ignition and fuel injection systems. Crank engine for 10-15 seconds in 5-second intervals to prime oil system and verify oil pressure builds on gauge. Listen for any abnormal valve train noise during cranking. Once oil pressure is confirmed, enable ignition and fuel systems. Reconnect battery.
    ⚠Do not allow engine to start until oil pressure is confirmed during cranking. Dry start will damage new lifters immediately.
15. 15

    Initial startup and break-in procedure
    Start engine and immediately verify oil pressure reaches normal range within 5 seconds. Listen carefully for any valve train noise, ticking, or abnormal sounds. Allow engine to idle for 5 minutes monitoring oil pressure, coolant temperature, and checking for leaks. If any excessive noise is present, immediately shut down and investigate. Perform three heat cycles: idle to operating temperature, shut down for 30 minutes, repeat. Vary engine speed between 1500-3000 RPM during warm-up periods. Check for leaks after each cycle. After break-in, change engine oil and filter. Avoid sustained high loads or high RPM operation for first 500 miles.
    ⚠️Any valve train noise beyond normal initial lifter priming sounds indicates serious problem. Continued operation will cause catastrophic failure.

Reassembly

1. All reassembly steps are integrated into the main procedure above due to the critical nature of valve train assembly sequence.
2. Torque all fasteners in specified sequences using multiple progressive passes as indicated.
3. Use new gaskets and seals for all components—reuse of gaskets will cause oil leaks.
4. Apply assembly lubricant to all friction surfaces during installation.
5. Verify camshaft timing alignment at multiple points during reassembly process.

Verification

• Oil pressure must reach 40-60 PSI at idle when engine is at operating temperature.
• No oil leaks should be present from valve covers, timing cover, or intake manifold after three heat cycles.
• Engine should idle smoothly with no valve train noise beyond initial lifter pump-up period (first 30 seconds).
• No check engine lights or fault codes should be present related to camshaft position sensors.
• Perform cylinder contribution test to verify all cylinders are functioning properly.
• After 500-mile break-in period, perform valve lash inspection to verify proper lifter function (if applicable for this engine design).
• Monitor oil consumption for first 1000 miles—excessive consumption may indicate installation issues.
• Perform compression test and leak-down test if any performance issues are noted after break-in period.

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