Hot Rods SBF Lifters? What brand is currently good?

Looking to re-ring & bearing an old A code 289 and would love to have a better flat tappet camshaft. The car is a beater and identifies as a Falcon. I am just giving it a mild freshening up. I have trust issues with the current crop of aftermarket lifters. I haven't gone through a SBF in years and just don't know whats available for a 60 year old Ford small block.

I have a break in/run stand and the engine will go through a few break in cycles before returning to the car.

I have had success with using my hoard of Melling and Rhoads lifters for SBCs on the last few engines I have built, but I only have one set of old stock Rhoads lifters for a SBF. I was saving those for a 351w build.

I just can't justify 1k for a retro-roller camshaft swap on this old 289. I could buy a whole Explorer engine and 303 camshaft for that price.

With all that said, what direction should I be looking for Flat Tappet Hydraulic Lifters?

 

Look on Ebay for NOS US made lifters that were made in the 80s or so. I have several NOS sets of GM and PAW lifters for Chevy that I got in a bulk buy of stuff. I'm holding onto them for dear life. Don't have any use for them at the moment..but if I need them..I have them.

 

It is not very expensive to put the stock ford 5.0 hydraulic roller lifters in a 289. Just drill holes for the guide plate and install the roller lifters. Make sure you use the correct distributor gear.

 

Look into to having the old lifters re surfaced.
Do the research and choose the folks.
I think that’s where things are headed.
It getting to where stuff we threw away just a few short years ago.....is all we got to work with.
Oh.....rollers fail too.
It’s not the oil.
Bethlehem Steel has been shuttered a long time.
Smoke ‘em if you got ‘em.

 

Have you done this? Interested in the process as I have a fresh 351W that needs a cam and lifter selection.

 

Two members on the HAMB do it at their shops. Pete1 and Packardv8?

 

Elgin makes a safe replacement, these days. If you do some research you will find that the lifer bore height is different on flat tappet versus roller lifter blocks. The aftermarket hydraulic rollers are a different style and take a reduced base circle cam to function properly. I haven't tried to use an early block for the oem lifters so I can't personally verify if that is an option or not.

 

Hy Lift Johnson lifters are US made and what I WOULD use IF I ever built a FT SBF again.
Look 'em up. Think they 100% guarantee their stuff.......
6sally6

 

Ditto

 

I'll look at the Johnson lifters more. I saw lots of Ford roller cam lifters on their website.

It has crossed my mind that a new set would have to be resurfaced!

 

If your looking to a solid lifter cam, both Isky and Comp have ones with oiling holes on the bottom surface. We have used both on Circlectrack engines without a cam failure. Good luck.

 

I only build flat tappet engines for myself and close friends anymore and when I do I use Johnson hydraulic lifters. When I build solid flat tappet engines for myself lately I have used Howards lifters with the EDM oiling holes.

 

All USA made.

 

I am now looking at the Edelbrock 2122 cam and lifter kit. The cam specs are close to what I have been looking at in Howard's or Comp Cams.

Any ideas on Edelbrock's lifters?

 

Just a note. In a pre roller block the 351 and down engines lifter bore tops are not machined for the roller lifter dog bones as used in roller blocks. I don't think the non roller blocks can be machined to roller block specs. I did see a really nice well thought out large base circle cam kit in Comp Cams [I think!] but of course $$. Would get good info at sbftech.com if it is still around.

 

I think you’d have to old school with link bar rollers.
Only option for pre factory roller setups for SBC.
Not sure on the Fords, but believe the lifter bores are not as tall on a SBC.
I know I’m mixing manufacturers, but just referencing possible differences.

 

I have a brand new set of Comp Cams 832-16 High Energy tappets for most Ford V8’s. I wouldn’t hesitate to use them in a stock or mild build. Would I use them in .600+ lift, 140lbs. seat pressure cam? No I would not. I had my last set of Johnson solids re-surfaced for a cam mentioned above and they seem to be holding up and I do keep an eye on the lash.

 

HyLift Johnsons are made in Muskegon, MI and what I just stuck in my 283 re-build. Don't confuse them with Johnson Lifters made in Taylor, MI.

 

Are HyLift Johnsons, made in Muskegon, MI,
a better product than Johnson Lifters made in Taylor, MI?

I thought the Johnson lifter people were bought out several times.

 

There is a certain amount of "friction" between the two companies.
All I know is that Hylift Johnson still makes flat tappet lifters while all that Johnson Lifters make now are rollers. As I needed flat tappets for my 390 Cad my only choice was to buy a set from Hylift Johnson. 3 thousand miles and no issues with the lifters...

 

I used the same ones in my 390 Cad, no issues.

 

I strongly suggest that you call Chris Padget @ Bullet Racing Cams and have them make the cam of your dreams CORRECTLY as well as supply the HYLIFT Johnson lifters and the CORRECT valve spring pressures. Don't cut corners with shelf-cams that are made by the thousands in dark plants and boxed by all the big-name companies.

Bullet Cams