Abstract: A hydraulic lash adjuster has a generally cylindrical, hollow body having a closed end, an open end and a top land at the open end. A plunger is positioned in the body and is held in place by a retainer. The retainer is fastened to the exterior of the body. The retainer has a rim supported on the top land of the body and is held in place by tabs which are folded under into grooves in the side of the body.

Abstract: A tappet for an internal combustion engine includes a tappet body having a camface at one end thereof, which camface is positioned for contact with a rotating camshaft. The camface is formed essentially of zirconium oxide.

Abstract: The invention includes a method of retaining, shipping and assembling tappet cartridge assemblies, as well as a plastic sleeve for retaining the tappet cartridge assembly during shipping and assembly. In the method, a plastic sleeve retains an otherwise removable plunger in a tappet cartridge assembly body. The thus-retained cartridge assembly may be shipped and during subsequent assembly is positioned in alignment with a tappet follower. The tappet cartridge assembly is pushed through the retainer plastic sleeve into the tappet follower with such movement releasing the cartridge assembly from the plastic sleeve, permitting removal of the plastic sleeve.