Hi All, need a bit of help. Blew up the '58 283 in my model A, found an early ('62) 327 I bought with the front mounts I need. Bottom end is new. I need a cam. After going back and forth, I'm going to stay with flat tappet. $3k for a roller set up is simply out of the budget. What manufactures are you all trusting right now for cam & lifters? I know COMP is under heavy fire, but I cant trust random internet anger, as I have no idea if they are using the correct springs, lube, etc. But, I do trust this crew...so...anyone have a brand they love? Thx, Jason
Doesn't appear you're building a race engine; stock parts should be no problem with flattening lobes. The choice of springs, lifters, lube and breakin is every bit as important as the cam choice. When properly ***embled with the correct seat pressure springs, properly lubed, we have no problems with reground OEM cams. jack vines
I saw a video last week that recommended Crower's because of some extra oil holes. However, what Pachardv8 said is very important. Older design cams have gentle lobes and don't require the spring pressure that more modern grinds do. I used to think break in oil wasn't necessary but after being enlightened, the last 2 engines have had break in oil for around 150 miles and then replaced.
I found a set of lifters that sat on the parts store shelf for 12 -15 years. fingers crossed Internets experts mention Howard, Crower and Johnson My local engine supply says they have very few complaints from Elgin howard also has a retro roller set up that should t be near 3k
@anthony myrick I always have had fantastic success with Elgin cams [Made in USA] But the choice depends on how much machining is done. If you keep the lift at .480" max you can use "drop-in" VS-677 valve springs [aka Z28 springs] Stock installed height is 1.700" coil bind height is 1.150" Be careful of too much duration on a short stroke engine but a Model A being lightweight would be more forgiving. On my last engine I wanted the 283 to have diesel like manners so I chose the highest lift possible for a short duration [205° @ .050" max] I ended up with an Elgin #CL1787PK [1200-4200 rpm] 204/204 dur @ 50 .427 .427 lift This cam ^^^^ was in a heavy "3 on the tree" barge, so it pulled well in lower rpm [with a 2 barrel] At 4600 rpm the thing was pulling 100mph with 3.55 gears Don't over cam your engine unless it is a "cars'n'coffee" show pony
Where in the hell are you coming up with $3000 for a retro roller cam for a street SBC? you can get three with lifters for that. Just an example . Lots of choices under $1000 that are not cheap ****.
We Yblock guys don’t have much choice. Solid mushroom lifters, and almost impossible to change in the vehicle. Isky and Clay Smith usually provide Johnson’s, and the reports are good. Even with pretty radical cams. I’m sure the same quality is there for the SBC from them.
I have a Elgin Cam in the last sm blk chevy I built . Nice cam. Has alot of miles on it now and still runs and sounds like it did when new. Its got a 110 lobe separation. My Engine machinist who does mostly racer stuff recommended Elgin and got me the cam and lifters, hydraulic flat tappet
Isky’s lifters with the off center oiling holes have been bullet proof for our flat tappet cast cam to 7200. I have Comp center hole lifters in another engine that also has not failed.
Its 50/50 Flat tapped & Hyd . Roller Hyd $1k -1,200 Most spring pressure for sbc R-H 130-150ish on seat .up till about .540 lift
I used a 97 5.7 Vortec stock added a Melling R cam stage 3 or 4 , $250 Used the Oem lifters push rods ,rockers. China open plain Intake $150 Vic / G team style. The stock Vortec heads equal a set of ported 2.02 , Gen 1 block huggers . Short Gen 1 water pump , you need to angle The casting 16th to 1/8 about 1/4 long to clear the Vortec timing cover. & use the Vortec thermostat " the double spring one " Simple to add / use Vortec . Valve covers I have are hard to find that Fill the hole cover not look small to head.
I think lifter problem is fast lift rates on hipo cams. I have not had a problem with Melling. hipo 50 degrees between adv. and .050, Melling 80 degrees
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