Q. Can I retro-fit my flat tappet engine to run a roller cam and lifters?
A. COMP Cams® offers retro-fit camshafts and lifters for use in OE flat tappet engine blocks. When retro-fitting to a roller setup, it is also necessary to install a few supporting components. These generally include shorter pushrods, and a thrust button and wear plate to prevent the cam from shifting in the block. If your lifters do not feature a mechanism (such as a link bar system) to prevent them from rotating in the lifter bores, a retainer system such as COMP Cams® #31-1000 will also be required.
Lastly, depending on the type of camshaft that you want to run, a bronze or composite distributor gear may be needed.
Q. Are COMP Cams solid roller lifters rebuildable?
A. COMP Cams® takes pride in being the only manufacturer that offers this service. Our solid roller lifter rebuild procedure includes the following steps:
First, the lifter bodies are disassembled and inspected for cracks and the retaining grooves are inspected and cleaned..
Next, the lifter bodies are thoroughly cleaned and reassembled using new axles, roller assemblies and retaining clips.
The finished product is then quality inspected, boxed, and shipped back to you.
This process ensures that you receive a perfectly rebuilt and inspected set of solid roller lifters at a fraction of the cost of a new set.
Q. What is the proper break-in procedure for a flat tappet camshaft?
A. This has been a major concern for camshaft manufactures for the past two years. The EPA has placed restrictions on wear-reducing additives to gasoline engine oils in order to help reduce pollutants and increase the life of catalytic converters. |
The primary problem lies with the fact that these anti-wear agents are critical to flat tappet camshaft break-in. For a flat tappet lifter to function correctly, it must rotate in the lifter bore as it rides along the camshaft lobe, maintaining an oil film over itself and the cam lobe surface, and creating a wear pattern on both the cam and lifter face.
The removal of these anti-wear agents by oil manufacturers greatly increased the possibility of the lifter seizing up and wearing down the camshaft lobe during break-in. To help combat this problem, COMP Cams® has developed a special Camshaft Break-In Lubricant, part #159. This lubricant is a special blend of extreme pressure additives no longer available in non-racing motor oils, which provides added protection during critical engine break-in process.
The second pitfall to avoid when breaking in a new flat tappet camshaft is trying to save money by installing a set of inexpensive “offshore-made” lifters. These lifters often suffer from substandard metals and hardening techniques, and often fail during the critical break in period. Always play it safe and install nothing but COMP Cams® quality lifters, and you’ll never experience a failure due to poor lifter quality.
Q. I have a minimum vacuum rule in my race class. Does COMP Cams offer lifters that will help me pull more vacuum?
A. The Hi-Tech™ series of hydraulic flat tappet lifters are designed to help increase vacuum and performance in demanding race motors. These lifters are perfect for vacuum restricted race classes, as they feature a greater bleed off rate, quicker throttle response and are available for a variety of popular applications. Generally, you can expect to see a 1-2 inch increase in vacuum depending on your engine combination and the amount of lifter preload. |
