Thread: hydraulic vs solid

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Go with the solid, you wont regret it. I have run solids on the street for the past eight years. I adjust mine each spring before the cruzin season, and that's it for the year. They're not just for high rpms either...that's where they shine, but they will give you more torque down low as well, due to their ramp profiles, and the fact that the lifters are 'right there' all the time. I have run lots of flat tappet solids, and currently, and for the last few years, a solid roller. Contrary to what you will hear, or have heard, about solid rollers on the street, mine current lifters have been no less than perfect for 3 seasons now. And I do a lot of driving during the nice months, including a lot of idling. Go for it! Nothin like the sound of a solid cam. John

Originally Posted by vortec king

i'm thinking of putting a solid flat cam in my 406sbc, but i just had a few questions about solid cams, is a solid camshaft worth anymore power over a hydrualic flat ? i know the hydraulics are getting very good and i had lot of success with them,but i'm hearing that solids are just better for power, if solids are better how come?. i don't care about adjusting lash, but how often do you have adjust the lash for street/strip engine? if anyone has experiences with solid cams, much help would be appreciated.

Solid cams do have an advantage. You can run a shorter seat timing but bigger number everywhere else. This allows for better vacuum, drivability, etc. They can use a more aggressive ramp design to reach a higher lift in shorter time. That is because the force can't compress the plunger that a hydraulic lifter has. I have run flat mechanical but now run mechanical roller in two of my street toys. A stud girdle is the difference between night and day on a mechanical cam. I check them but haven't had to "adjust" any in quite a while.

Sorry no picture of the Tac but Jeep is on the cover of OCT 1969 4 wheeler mag. Jeep Nickname was the Godfather if you ever went to Pismo Beach Ca and did the drags you would remember it. Cam was developed by Elgin Machine Shop in Redwood City Cal. I still need a Front Grill for my 40 Plymouth....