Thread: Engine Building Question

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Thanks Roland. For the benefit of others on the board, I also recommended paying attention to this list of failure points with a flat tappet cam. Oil formulations have changed and extreme pressure lubricants are no longer part of the formulation in off-the-shelf motor oils, so we must use extreme caution in the installation and wear-in of valve actuation components. The Extreme Energy camshaft series is particularly prone to failures due to the additional loading involved with the lifter coming up off the base circle onto the opening ramp very quickly. It's nothing you have to be really afraid of if you pay attention to all the cautions I have laid out and pay attention to using all the matched components that the cam grinder recommends. I recommended to use only 1.5 rockers arms with this cam and also advised Roland to adhere to the list I provided. Here's the list....
http://www.crankshaftcoalition.com/w...ips_and_tricks

There are numerous offerings of extreme pressure lubricants on the market. Here, for example, is one from Crower that I would trust. Just add one of these 4 oz bottles to the oil on break-in and one with each subsequent oil change.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CRO-86092/

Bottom Line: Use all components that the cam grinder recommends for the cam you are purchasing, pay attention to the tips and tricks listed above for installation of flat tappet cams and lifters and use an aftermarket oil additive in your off-the-shelf oil or use a dedicated racing oil in which you can verify the content of extreme pressure lubricants.

This information is applicable only to small block Chevies and other "valve-in-line" type motors. I suspect that Pat McCarthy has built more big block Chevies than all of us combined and he will not use a flat tappet cam in a BBC. That's good enough for me, so be advised. Use only a roller cam in a BBC.