lifters worn concave

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Feb 26, 2001 | 03:32 PM

fuzz

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Freshman User

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 44

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lifters worn concave

We are doing some minor head work and I took a look at the hydraulic lifters. I found several that are worn to concave. I am assuming that the cam is then worn to a crown. Time and money does not permt removing and replacing the cam. I am thinking that to replace the lifters without replacing the cam is not good as then there will be very little surface bearing between the crowned cam and the new flat lifter surface, Is it better to leave them as is for now? (who knows how long). Would the bearing surface miss match between cam and lifter tear up the new lifters in short order? The lifters have all been taken apart and cleaned and they were not noisy before teardown. Any encouraging words? Ron

Feb 26, 2001 | 06:24 PM

jbhf250

Elder User

Joined: Oct 1999

Posts: 917

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From: Kelseyville USA

lifters worn concave

Ron, Don`t put the lifters back in...Replace them all!!
New lifters.. Old Cam = OK
Old lifters.. NEW Cam = TROUBLE
__JOHN__Õ¿ö
FTE Club #7
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Feb 26, 2001 | 08:34 PM

trouble

Senior User

Joined: Aug 2000

Posts: 458

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From: Rolla USA

lifters worn concave

Throw those old lifters in the trash , Put new ones in !!It will be alright .
Trouble

Feb 26, 2001 | 11:49 PM

bb78bronco

Junior User

Joined: Feb 2001

Posts: 52

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lifters worn concave

My brother just had the same problem with his 400. The cam and lifters only have about 8 or 9 thousand miles on them and on of the lifters failed and caused it to become concaved. he bought all new one from auto zone for like 25 or 30 bucks. I put it back together just today and it works fine.

Feb 27, 2001 | 06:35 AM

DannyP

Elder User

Joined: Jan 2000

Posts: 656

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From: Gravel Switch, KY

lifters worn concave

I have no practical experience with a worn cam and lifters, but all the manufacturers state never to use an old cam with new lifters or vice versa, and I never have. The reasoning behind this is that the when you break a cam in and as it gets miles on it, the cam lobe and lifter wear together and are a "matched set". If you put new lifters in with an old cam, the worn lobe will quickly destroy the convex shape of the new lifter plus the new lifter will also be changing the profile of the old lobe at the same time. I am not saying that old with new won't work, but it is not recommended. I would rather put the original lifters back in their original position until I had the money to do it right.

DannyP
89 F-150 4x4 former EFI I-6 now carbed 351W, Edelbrock heads,cam,intake,carb.
MSD 6A, ZF, Sterling 10.25 with 3.55L's.