Sealed hydraulic lifter for extreme angle operation

A valve train for an engine comprising:

• a pushrod having a tubular body portion and a spherically shaped ball end having a fluid dispensing aperture, said ball end coupled to a first end of said body portion, said pushrod operable for supplying a flow of fluid;
• and
• a hydraulic lash adjuster having a body with a blind bore formed therein;
• a unitarily formed plunger body slidingly received within said blind bore and having a spherical pushrod seat, a fluid entry aperture and a fluid return aperture, said ball end being operably coupled to said pushrod seat and permitting fluid communication between said pushrod and said hydraulic lash adjuster;
• a high pressure cavity formed between the bottom of said blind bore and said plunger body;
• a valve opening in said plunger body providing fluid communication between said high pressure cavity and a low pressure cavity;
• a check valve element for selectively opening or closing said valve opening in response to a pressure differential between said high pressure cavity and said low pressure cavity;
• said low pressure cavity formed between said check valve element and said fluid entry aperture;
• a spring normally urging said plunger body outward of said blind bore;
• and a seal disposed between said blind bore and said plunger body and positioned above said fluid return aperture, said seal operable to prevent a flow of fluid from said high pressure cavity to an engine cavity.