If this has been hashed and re-hashed, my apologies. I'm old and jaded now, can't navigate TJJ on this phone like the old days with my computer... Trying to get a 351W put back together, I don't trust recently produced ones after all the negative reports of failure at break-in. Folks who have built engines longer than I've been alive have been having issues, and no I won't just go roller on this. I am trying to find a source of pre-2020 lifters and possibly a cam for this 351. Just thought maybe someone out here in HAMBland might know of some a person would let go for some $$.
If no one offers up, look on ebay, they're around. I sold a set of Chevy NOS solid lifters earlier this year for $800, so beware that you're not the only one looking.
I would call Holman Moody in Charlotte . If there would be any good lifters made good today I'm sure they would know ..
The “problem” has been around well before 2020. I don’t recall the complaints until the early 2000’s, but maybe that was when the internet was exploding? I guess I’m saying if you feel it just surfaced in 2020, you are probably mistaken.
If you have an otherwise good set of lifters you can have them reground with the proper crown and they will be fine.
Spoke to the machine shop guy about this this morning. You used to be able to buy reconditioned lifters at supply shops, cheaper than new. I don't think you can do that anymore, and 'new' now is worse than the old cheap option. But, he said "yes, I can do that. It would be a more expensive way to go." To which I replied "perhaps cheaper than rebuilding a ruined engine." He laughed and agreed, then proceeded to tell me a few tales of woe relating to the lifters available today.
Hey, thanks for your input! The first I heard anyone locally complaining about it was around 2010, Comp cams, they kept sending the guy replacements until he finally just managed to convince them to return his money and he went elsewhere. The number of complaints has definitely increased since the plandemic, and the quality of parts has since gone down as well. I was a counter sales guy at the local NAPA when the problem arrived, at least for more than just a sporadic, random fellow/lady here or there in our "always 20 years behind the rest of the world" hilly part of Arkansas. Elsewhere? I guess I'm saying your mileage may vary. Regardless, I am looking for old school cast iron lifters, other folks can play with tool steel ones like the "racers" use until their blessed little pointed heads explode from elation. I had ZERO issues with the ones I'm looking for back when I did this for more than just fun, no reason to change now
heyyyy thanks for that, I noticed they have slot car stuff, my grandson's other grandpa will be thrilled when I send him their link!
It’s been happening for a long time. I remember a guy at work that brought a cam in from is brothers Corvette. Don’t even recall the year or if it was a factory cam, etc. This was circa 1985. He laid it out on a bench, asked us if we saw the problem. One guy spotted it real quick, looked like it came from an engine with an extra cam journal
The Jalopy Journal
