Lifters In Stock Eliminator

[GUMP]

I have a friend that I believe builds pretty good stuff post photos on Facebook of worn out flat tappet lifters and cam lobes that he encountered during break-in. I have read a lot about this of late. Is it really time to allow rollers for all combinations in stock due to inferior parts? Or, are the cams victim to other factors related to the valve spring and solid lifter rule changes?

To be clear, I have no current dog in this hunt. Everything that I own and am currently working on uses rollers.

[JP1738]

I certainly wish they would allow it. I seek no huge hp improvement, but I am so scared to wipe out a flat tappet lifter in my 305. I do not have the money to tare down and rebuild more than once if that happens to me. I have been extremely fortunate so far and have had no issues, but it keeps me up at night. I would love the peace of mind knowing that rollers would keep my car healthy for longer and avoid those start up failures.

[Jim Kaekel]

If you want roller lifters and have the need to spend a bunch of money, run a combination that uses them. Please, leave the existing rules alone.

[JP1738]

Originally Posted by Jim Kaekel

If you want roller lifters and have the need to spend a bunch of money, run a combination that uses them. Please, leave the existing rules alone.

Why? Forcing combos to use inferior parts that others are granted permission to use seems punitive. Explain plz.

[Mike Taylor 3601]

Precision Products Performance Center (PPPC) has THE BEST tool steel lifter...knock on wood.... I have never had a cam lose a lobe with their lifter and I use all the spring pressure I can get from Pac 1409X.I have always used Bullet and P-55 cam cores with just normal parkerizing,but I think P-55 cores are gone now....
I use PPPC lifters uncoated,w/o extra oil hole, use grooving tool in lifter bore for extra oil to lifter/lobe...
I talked to Tim Goolsby the other day about doing 8620 core (steel roller core) as flat tappet and PPPC tool steel lifters w/DLC (diamond like coating)...Tim told me we could use a DI (ductile iron) core, alot of mild hydraulic rollers are on DI cores... so next one I do will most likely be a DI core with PPPC tool steel lifters

[Cuda340]

I also have been running the tool steel PPPC lifters but on a cast P-55 core the last 2 yrs but prior to that i used the Shubeck?s bomb lifters (but never experienced a failure with then but lost many a nights sleep when running them lol ) in my hi-comp 1970 340 Cuda all from Brad Van Lant, maybe ask around with the older stock racers as to what they are using and any tricks,I?ve found all the 340 guys have been very forthcoming with majority of my questions,many people out there close in your area that have run the Chevy 305,350?s,Warren Eng. in Clinton,NC is who I would seek out,or Jim Marshall just south of you in SC or there are many others,GoodLuck 👍🏻

Careful?inching slowly to Superstock. At some point NHRA will say; ok enough.
Not hearing any issues that warrant a change.
Rollers fail also and lately quite a few.

[MR DERBY CITY]

Originally Posted by JP1738

Why? Forcing combos to use inferior parts that others are granted permission to use seems punitive. Explain plz.

It is real SIMPLE, your 305 DID NOT come from the factory with roller lifters ….For Pete’s sake ?..

[GUMP]

So, is the inferior parts thing a myth? Is it still possible to build flat tappet combinations that will be reliable with new parts that are currently available? Not older parts that you just happen to have.

[JGrossijr]

It's a combination of things, but IMO the biggest factors are lubrication, ramp speed, and valve spring pressure.
Light oils, windage reduction, aggressive ramp speeds, and higher valve spring pressures, all improve performance but reduce reliability. The main culprit of flat tappet failures in Stock was allowing increased valve spring pressure. Careful what you wish or lobby for. The rule of unintended consequences never goes away.