PURPOSE: To plastically flow the material of flange in the groove part of the top plate and to obtain the valve lifter having durability by receiving the lower surface of the outwarding flange of the top end of the skirt part so as to position it with the prescribed clearance between the lower side surface of the groove part of the top plate.

CONSTITUTION: At the time of jointing the top of skirt part 5 to the groove part 2 of the outer circumference of the top plate, the outwarding flange 8 of the top end of skirt part is pressurized with the punch from the upper side between the receiving component 9. The material of flange is caused to plastically flow into the groove part 2 of the top plate 1 by this pressurizing. At this time, because under the state of the flange being received with the receiving component 9, the lower side of the flange is positioned above the lower side surface 3 of the groove part of the top plate 1, with the prescribed interval S so the material of flange is easy to flow by this interval S. As a result, the material of flange enter satisfactorily the groove part of the top plate 1, the joint strength of the skirt part 5 and the top plate 1 is made large, the valve lifter with excellent joint strength is obtained.