I pulled the manifold off for a leak and checked all of my lifters while I was there (a lot of horror stories out there). Got about 2-3 hours on the motor after a cam change (comp cam and lifter set XE 256). Each lifter shows a small scuff mark in the center with barely discernible spiral marks from the center out with a small scuff ring around the perimeter. Is this normal wear on the way to a lifter with a polished face? I've pulled lifters out before but never this early in the break-in.

 

Is it still convex?

 

That's OK.

That one has been turning. That's why it looks uniform all the way around. What you DON'T want to see, is a little "bar" looking shape of wear, where the cam lobe has never run on any other spot except that "bar".

 

Thanks for the replys. Still convex. I felt 90% safe seeing the same pattern of wear on each and evidence of the lifter turning. Just used to the shiny, mirror like finish on a lifter with many more hours on it I guess.

Course I wouldn't have even pulled them to look if not for all the bad press lately on failed cams.

 

As long as it's still slightly convex a normal wear pattern would have just a tiny "halo" of untouched metal around the outer 1/16" of the lifter face. The center will look rather "cloudy" from being poished at different angles by the cam lobe as the lifter spins.