What to do about lifters

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 24, 2022 | 02:17 PM

Bossman583

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Sep 2022

Posts: 53

Likes: 2

What to do about lifters

I’m building a 347 for my 1996 f-150, promaxx 185 project x heads (similar to AFR 195). Comp xe274 cam, big dog ported stock intake. 10.5:1 cr so far but I can change it.
What are the best lifters to go with? I see a lot of negative reviews and I see good reviews. I’m a broke college kid so the best bang for the buck will be welcomed. Thank you guys!!

Nov 24, 2022 | 07:09 PM

DaveMcLain

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2020

Posts: 2,676

Likes: 785

In today's world flat tappet hydraulic lifters can be made to work but they are not forgiving in any way. Spring loads, oiling, pre lube, break in etc have to be right or the cam will fail. I would recommend being very conservative with your spring loads. I'd try to get loads of around 100 on the seat and no more than about 270lbs open. For oil I would use something like the Driven BR30 or 40, the Driven assembly lube on the lobes and bottoms only on the lifters. Crank up oil pressure by hand before starting the engine. Once it is running absolutely no idling for at least 30 minutes of run time. Nothing under 2000rpm. When I break in a flat tappet cam on my dyno I usually run the engine for an hour at light load at 2500-3000 rpm. Its boring but I try to do everything possible to make the cam live.

If it were mine I'd go with a hydraulic roller.

Nov 24, 2022 | 10:14 PM

Bossman583

Thread Starter

Cross-Country

Joined: Sep 2022

Posts: 53

Likes: 2

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveMcLain

it will be a HR, I was looking for a brand recommendation. Do you have any you used and would recommend?

Nov 24, 2022 | 10:33 PM

xlt4wd90

Lead Driver

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 7,015

Likes: 208

From: SoCal

If he means the XE274HR cam, then one of these should be fine:

https://www.summitracing.com/parts/f...r302/make/ford

and no critical break in needed.

Nov 25, 2022 | 06:44 AM

DaveMcLain

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2020

Posts: 2,676

Likes: 785

I would use the stock style hydraulic roller lifters and hardware just like the ones shown in the link on xlt's post.

Nov 25, 2022 | 11:26 AM

mat-it

Mountain Pass

Joined: Jan 2005

Posts: 116

Likes: 31

From: Langley B.C.

For my next build I'm planning to use some Crower lifters. They are a bit more money but have a solid reputation for quality and are a made in the U.S. part.

Nov 25, 2022 | 11:33 AM

DaveMcLain

Cargo Master

Joined: Oct 2020

Posts: 2,676

Likes: 785

Quote:

Originally Posted by mat-it

For my next build I'm planning to use some Crower lifters. They are a bit more money but have a solid reputation for quality and are a made in the U.S. part.

Are the Crower the tie bar style? That kind will work in a 5.0 block but they can't be removed or installed without taking off the heads. A few years ago we tested some of the Crane tie bar style hydraulic rollers vs a set of the stock 5.0 style ones in a 351C engine. Running to 6500rpm there was no difference in performance.

If I use the tie bar style I use the ones from Morel most of the time. They have been pretty good but I've had a couple of failures in small block Chevy engines where the hydraulic mechanism collapsed.