Do I have to change the lifters when I change the cam? Im assuming worn lifters will damage a new cam but I just want to check.

Rock Out

 

One more thing, this cam is going into a 350, not even sure what it was out of, its a 2bbl right now but will get a PerformerRPM intake, the carb off my motor along with headers and some other things.

What would be a good cam for this set up? Like a range of what I should look for as far as lift, dur, ect. specs go. Nothing super crazy but that will give me the most power without going over board.

Maybe what you guys have on a similiar set up.

 

Ok, is it flat tappet or roller... ??? if it is a flat tappet lifter... look at the bottom of ALL of the lifters... if any are concave (slightly curved inward) .. you should replace them, otherwise... they will work fine with a new cam (either way they should only be like $3.00 OR LESS for one)... if they are roller... what condition are they in.. .it's recomended that you change lifters with a roller cam... only because the cam lobe and lifter cause wear in certain places on eachother... if the engine has realitively low miles or you just really can't afford it... you can reuse roller lifters (IF, they spin well, when you check them) BUT I would recomend changing them...

 

Its a flat teppet cam, honestly im not sure about the miles. Im going to do a compression test to see if it is worth putting in the car without a rebuild till I can build/buy a good set of heads for it. I would prefer to do the rebuild when I put the new heads on because then it is all fresh.

If lifters are that cheap I may just change them regardless. HOWEVER, if they are concaved would that effect the lift that the valves would recieve? I know it would effect it but would it be significant, im thinking not but still, never hurts to ask.

 

As a VERY GOOD rule of thumb, you should treat flat tappet cams and lifters as a unit. If you change one, then change the other because they wear together in a precise pattern. Each lobe has a wear pattern that matches its appropriate lifter.

 

If they are caved in... even a tiny bit... it makes a bigger difference than you will ever realize... for example... it may change your valve lift from .450 to .410... just from a tiny indent.... If they are flat tappet... SWITCH THEM ALL... they are pretty cheap

 

Actually the lifter shouldn't have that effect on lift. In fact you could install lifters a half inch shorter as long as there isn't any slop with the valve lash.
Even changing push rod length has no effect on lift.

Now a worn cam lobe or different rocker ratio is a different matter.

Anywho, diffenetly change the lifters!

Ron

 

I will change them.

Thanks

 

I think you have that backwards.

Roller cams are the ones you don't need to change the lifters on. As long as they're all working fine. They don't develope a wear pattern like flat lifters do.

Flat lifters should always be changed. The cam has a pitch on one side of the lobe. It's to help keep the cam in the block by forcing it toward the rear, and it also rotates the lifters as they move up and down. This helps prevent any flat spots on the cam and lifters.

For the cost of new flat face lifters it's cheap insurance. If you're using a cam (like any of the Comp Cams Xtreme series) with an aggressive flank, then I'd recommend using their lifters. They've matched them with the cam so you won't have problems. And, if you do have problems, they'll uphold the warranty. They won't uphold the warranty if you use no-name lifters.