Valve tappet insides came out - how do I put it together?
 

I was inspecting the #22 head I have for my SDL rebuild and noticed that the feel of one of the hydraulic valve tappets was extremely soft. I removed the tappet and the insides fell out.

Luckily I found the spring inside. I have not fooled with hydraulic valves before so I'm new at this. There's a guide sleeve, compression spring, and plunger. There are instructions in the FSM regarding reassembling and installing, but I'm not sure if I understand.

How do I know if this is a bad tappet, and how do I put it all together?

If a tappet feels really soft, it's bad. New ones are rock hard. Assuming this is an old tappet, I'd replace it (and any others which are soft). These softies are the ones which end up making a tick-tick-tick noise...

:stuart:

^I agree, and...
 

personally I wouldn't rebuild an engine without replacing all the lifters and exhaust valves

This engine was rebuilt not too long before it self destructed. I has many new parts on it, including a #22 head. I'm not sure if the head was rebuilt or if it was taken from another engine.

I've got three (extra) new valve tappet things that came with my SDL.. extra's from when hattie put in new valve tappets.. well I think that is what you are talking about

Hmmm. Rebuilt shortly before it blew up? What was the failure mode, and what shop did the rebuild...? Just curious!

:o

Replace it. If it fell apart that easily, and it felt soft before, it is almost certainly no good. When they are good they are extremely firm and difficult to disassemble.