Hydraulic roller lifters or solid roller lifters. Of the two choices, which one would be best to use. I personally think the hydraulic ones due to the lack of having to constantly adjust the lash. Also, would anyone recommend putting a roller cam in a 74 block? Any snags I may run into if I do decide that I want to go roller? I know that which ever one I use, they would have to have some sort of tie bar on them. Can you run Crane rollers on a Comp roller cam?
Need to know your intended useage. Track only, street only, a mix, Rear Gears, expected useable rpm range etc....
The expense is high for any gain in retrofitting an early block. The hydraulic rollers are no better than regular for rpm limits. A solid roller can go higher in rpm but you need heavier valve springs to control the valve train weight. Like said, money will do it if you just have to.
If you know any 5.0 Mustang guys who are hard core drag racers, chances are they will have everything you need sitting in a box to convert yours, except the cam itself. They usually rip out the stock stuff in favor of the hipo stuff.
Concerning the lash: The valvetrain parts today are very good and will hold a lash setting almost forever if you get decent stuff. Concerning which to use: Hydraulic is forgiving if you make a mistake or suffer a malfunction. Solid is very unforgiving if you have a problem. There is no padding. However, the same holds true for the solid flat valvetrain. The solid roller only needs more valve spring because it, by nature, can rev higher and needs a stronger spring to prevent float. The parts themselves are no heavier or lighter. A solid cam will have a wider power band, make more torque, and be more responsive over a hydraulic cam. It will also make more vacuum and idle better than a hydraulic of the same specs. You can put a solid roller straight in, no mods. Hydraulic roller is where you need to watch your parts. They make lifters that go in with no mods, or they make stock type lifters that need fingers, there are several variations. Just have to plan your parts wisely. Yes Some companies will threaten to void your warranty though if you do not use their parts. They can threaten, but it is illegal to act on it unless they can prove it was the other part that caused the failure.
