The nice thing about roller lifters is initial start up of the engine is not as crucial.
CK5
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The Truth about Flat Tappet cam failure
- Thread starter TJ1978
- Start date
Some of the lifter quality issues are also happing on hydraulic rollers too. No it’s not wiping out a camp lobe but the lifters are collapsing.
I watched a recent episode of Engine Masters where David Frieburger was talking about the lifter problem. Many were overseas low quality versions that between metallurgy and poor build quality they were major contributors to the cam failures. He mentioned that stepping up a level in cost/quality usually net a more durable part made in the USA. He noted that Comp was moving back manufacturing to the US after getting some production done in Asia.
I would also note though that even on late model engines there are issues with the lifters failing early. Gm has had issues on the ecotec3 small blocks including the 6.2 in the vette. Some of that are the Dod lifters but it was enough there were recalls on them.
I know I’ve got a couple of old school flat tappet cams in the box (151 Hydraulic and a Duntov Solid) and new in the box lifters that were from 30 years ago or more that I’d trust way more than new stuff even from gm.
I watched a recent episode of Engine Masters where David Frieburger was talking about the lifter problem. Many were overseas low quality versions that between metallurgy and poor build quality they were major contributors to the cam failures. He mentioned that stepping up a level in cost/quality usually net a more durable part made in the USA. He noted that Comp was moving back manufacturing to the US after getting some production done in Asia.
I would also note though that even on late model engines there are issues with the lifters failing early. Gm has had issues on the ecotec3 small blocks including the 6.2 in the vette. Some of that are the Dod lifters but it was enough there were recalls on them.
I know I’ve got a couple of old school flat tappet cams in the box (151 Hydraulic and a Duntov Solid) and new in the box lifters that were from 30 years ago or more that I’d trust way more than new stuff even from gm.
Yes
Me and John (son of @6872xtc ) went through this last week. There aren’t really that many lifter manufacturers. The fact that comp is making there’s here again it’s both an indicator and promising
Yep I know its a lifter issue because the cam wiped the lifters, clean ate into them between 1/8th to 1/4" on each of them instantly. What I heard through the grapevine was that some major domestic/overseas companies were buying up the good lifters and returning the packaging back with the junk non-hardened lifters for a refund. This is only speculation but its what I heard. Because a good hardened lifter should have a hardened "foot" with a visible ring I think.
I ordered some Melling lifters from summit, image on page showed the hardening part line. Got the lifters no part line, only parts I have ever sent back to Summit. Left a review warning other shoppers image was bogus.
It's the cam I have in my Nova. It really works well with a nice little choppy idle and good power through about 5500. Once I get to the 327 in the Nomad, it's getting the 151 cam and lifters along with the Vortec's my Dad already had worked over with the guides cut down and fitted with z28 springs. It should make good solid reliable power without screwing around with lashing the valves with the solid cam in it now.@ZooMad75 the 151 cam is good one I liked it a lot in 73 elco Wifey's heavy foot did too
It's always fascinating to see how engineering evolves to address such challenges.
