The lifter is actually harder than the cam. Flat tappets are not actually flat. They are slightly convex at the bottom so that the lifter rotates as it travels up the lobe. Also, the lobe is ground with a slight angle across its face (this also assists in lifter rotation). This is to keep the lifter from scuffing the lobe. All of that spring pressure travels through that minute contact point on the bottom lifter. The reason we have to break in flat tappet cams is to work harden the relatively soft face of the lobe. Any disruption in this relationship between the lifter and lobe will result in premature wear. There is no comparison in the hardness of a typical flat tappet cam and a roller cam.
Boo Hoo, Thanks all. I guess now I can do a better job than when I built this thing 20 years ago in matching parts. Although, I got lucky with this combo for a long time!
ah,,, you ought to freshen up entire engine. That metal had to go somewhere! Filter did not catch it all, trust me. Don't matter if a 20 year or 20 minute rebuild, cam wipes out, you got metal in your bearings. Good luck
Silly me! rebuilt it all 300 miles ago. Just NOT the cam!! New cam bearings though. Also, rings mains, rod bearings etc...Oil pressure still sitting at 60#'s think I am ok... Scott
AS I stated above, this cam was installed in 1984! I would say I got my monies worth from it! I have always ran the valvoline stright 30w. (live in CA)
usually a cam will go flat early on... if you lost a lobe now, after 20 years, you might have another issue.
Amazing! Crane suggested I send them the cam and if the lobe did go flat, FREE REPLACEMENT! Wow, that is customer service..
They also suggested that if a solid gets too far out of adjustment, like mine did, the lifter will stop spinning and that will quickly destroy a lobe and/or lifter
