Ok, I got my replacement cam and lifters from comp cams. They are "high energy". After what happened last time, (valvetrain damage) I'm not taking any chances.
I was pushing down on the part of the lifters the pushrod sets on with my finger (they were sitting on a table not installed) and noticed a few things:

1.)Most of them are pretty hard to push in

2.)two or three of them were impossible to move

3.)and a couple more were really easy to push down (in fact, I can easily bottom it out

What does this mean?? should I use these lifters? or is this just related to the amount of that "thin 3-in-1 type" oil they put in each to ship them? they dont seem very high quality or consistent with their lifters over there at comp.

John

 

I usually take new lifter and soak them in 5w-30 oil.

I cut a plastic milk jug in half and put some oil in it. Then, one at a time, I dunk the lifter in the oil while squishing the plunger down repeatedly. This worked real well when I helped my friend with his T/A. The lifter should "fill up" and you should barely be able to push it down.

I didn't do this on my recent cam swap and it was loud as hell when I started it. I probably should've.

Remember to prime the oil pump too. This also helps fill the lifters.

 

I guess I should have been more clear with my question... Does this mean the lifters are bad? (or as I think you are suggesting, they are fine they just have different amounts of oil in them right now)

Also, straight from the comp cams catalog, install instructions and web site:

"It is not necessary to 'pre-pump' hydraulic lifters full of engine oil prior to installation and valve adjustment. It is actually UNDESIREABLE to do so as the 'pumped up' lifters will cause the valves to open during the adjustment process, rather than positioning the valve lifter plunger in its operating position as it is supposed to do. 'Pre-soaking' hydraulic lifters in a bath of engine oil is a good idea, but it is not mandatory. It does ensure that the lifters are adequately lubricated on their outer surfaces prior to installation in the engine. It may also result in a quieter engine start up as the oil in the bath may displace some air from the lifter's plunger reservoir."

 

No they are not bad, some of them merely happen to have more assembly lube in them at the moment than others do.

Believe Comp's literature. If anyone would know the real deal, they would.

They usually use Perfect Circle lifters BTW, which they buy in bulk and repack. AFAIK none of the cam companies actually make their own lifters; although the only ones I have personal experience with are Comp, Lunati and Ultradyne, I suspect all the others use either Elgin or PC lifters, since the economics are the same for them all. Actual "bad lifters" are unbelievably rare - it's not something to even concern yourself with.

 

Awesome,
Thanks for shutting me up once again RB!
Seriously though I really appreciate all of your help, and everyone else's.

John

 

I usually take new lifter and soak them in 5w-30 oil.


unless it is and edelbrock cam and lifters set. they recomend not using oil on the lifters. and only assembly lube on the cam