Main Menu

Cam selection including type of lifter.

Started by 70RTSE383, June 14, 2022, 05:16:45 PM

Previous topic Next topic

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

70RTSE383

When I started my engine layout I had intended to use a hydraulic roller cam. I was advised by the shop building the engine that hydraulic roller lifters of late had serious problems falling apart and destroying engines. After posting on a couple Facebook sites my fears were confirmed. I have gone in circles trying to figure out which type (roller or flat tappet hyd or solid is more reliable and not over the top expensive.
After going in circles for months, I am thinking about going with a hydraulic flat tappet and be done with it. What are your thoughts on this?
Street only '70 R/T, 512 RB, Trick Flo 240, Ede RPM, 850-950 Holley. 727 and 8.75 3:23 posi. Have not picked converter yet. Needs to run with A/C and power brakes.
Thoughts?
Thanks John
70' Challenger R/T SE in progress
66' Mustang fastback GT350 clone
Factory Five Cobra
70' Kawasaki H1
70' Honda CT 70

dodj

CP is your guy....a 512...street...maybe lunati 703....
But, wait for CP to chime in....know his $h!t when it comes to engines....cam selection etc..
"There is nothing your government can give you that it hasn't already taken from you in the first place" -Winston Churchill

B5fourspeed

My engine builder would only use Johnson lifters on my roller 440.He would not use comp.I called Johnson direct and they hooked me up with one of their vendors.They are hard to find but they are around,


Chryco Psycho

There are 4 types of cams , all have good & bad points .
Basically flat tappet & roller with either solid or hyd lifters are the 4 choices .
Flat tappets are reliable but now need special oils to survive , flat tappets are made in small batches now as none of the factories use them anymore & I will Only use Johnson lifters . There are some lifters with small holes in the face to feed oil directly onto the lobe which can help .
Hyd cannot take the fast ramp speeds & spring pressures & can fail holding pressure [collapse]
All rollers need bronze drive gears & fuel pushrods
Idling rollers can damage the roller as there is no direct oiling only splash from the crank , I believe there are roller lifters with a small hole in the bottom to feed oil to the roller .
So you get to pick your poison
Personally I choose solid flat tappet for most builds & use special oil .
As for a specific grind I can help but I need a lot more info such as desired use rpm range  gearing etc , all of the parts need to match for best results .
A 512 ci build can use a lot of cam & still idle well , you have a lot of good parts so far in the build .
I am happy to call you & discuss this at length if that helps , you can PM me with  phone # & times to call .