Is it possible to run roller lifters on a regular flat tappet cam ?

just something i've been pondering for a while...


Dave

 

No

Not for very long, anyway

 

damn...


so what's the diff ?

Just materials ?


the reason i ask is because there is currently no aftermarket roller cams offered for the Gen3 60 degree V6 (3400SFI). but there is a few offered for the Gen2 60* V6. i know i can run a regular cam in the 3400 with regular lifters but i was just curious....


Thanks,
Dave

 

Metallurgy is one difference.

The main one though, is that a "flat" tapet cam, isn't flat. The rearward side of the lobe is bigger than the frontward side. That does 2 things: it makes the lifters retain the cam in the block, and it makes the edge of the lifter ride on the cam, which makes the lifter spin. "Flat" lifters aren't flat either; they're slightly convex.

So if you put a roller lifter, whose roller axis is parallel to the cam axis, onto a lobe whose surface is not parallel to the axis of the cam, things are bound to happen which are not good and involve metal shavings.

Just one more reason I don't fool around with 6-cyl motors.