cam help please

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Mar 31, 2013 | 10:46 AM

#16

fatfenders56

Cargo Master

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 2,497

Likes: 5

From: Tucson AZ

All good advice, do remember that Rotella oil from Shell has all the "additives" you need to run flat tappets, it's recommended by Comp Cams as both break-in and for regular usage, it has worked very well in all my engines.

Mar 31, 2013 | 11:34 AM

#17

AXracer

Hotshot

Joined: Oct 2004

Posts: 15,882

Likes: 88

From: Durham NC

The Rotella motor oil has had the high pressure additives removed per EPA mandate. Their diesel oil still has the desired additives.

Mar 31, 2013 | 12:12 PM

#18

51dueller

Lead Driver

Joined: Aug 2002

Posts: 6,682

Likes: 12

From: Saskatoon SK Canada

Quote:

Originally Posted by fatfenders

Don't let me speak for you though Jaye as I don't know your budget. Last time I looked the retro roller lifters were about $350, reduced base circle roller cam must be used as a standard SBF roller cam will not clear in a non roller block 289. Probably a at least $250 for the special cam. Choices are limited in small base circle unless you go custom cam.

Here is a fairly mild retro roller kit from COMP Cams. COMP Cams Magnum Hydraulic Roller Cam and Lifter Kits K31-422-8 - SummitRacing.com

Reduced basecircle cams are a band-aid solution and aren't really recommended for a performance application. There are roller lifters that are designed to use standard roller cams in early blocks. The oil band is shifted compared to the standard lifter.

FordStrokers.com 331-347-408-418-427 Custom Built Small Block Ford Engines - Lifters :: Howards Cams Hydraulic Roller Link Bar Lifters

Mar 31, 2013 | 07:47 PM

#19

Gear Up

Senior User

Joined: Feb 2002

Posts: 433

Likes: 4

From: Breckenridge, Minn.

With the self learning EFI systems out there they really don't like to see less than 12 degrees LSA and prefer 14 or greater. I plan on putting one of the systems on the 410 this year and went with what Comp recomended to work with EFI. I'm looking for torque instead of horsepower.

Apr 4, 2013 | 04:31 PM

#20

rhopper

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Mar 2005

Posts: 1,511

Likes: 1

From: peyton, colorado

AFA the flat tappet issue goes, there are plenty of good solutions to keep the cam happy. The difference in cost to update to a roller cam may not be worth it if you're building a cruiser. I've used comp cams break in additive, which they recommend for both break in and during oil changes. There are plenty of other options in the market. Amsoil makes a synthetic "ZROD" oil just for hot rods and such. The milder cams such as the performer the OP asked about have few problems when broken in properly.