The main reason SOLID rollers fail is an oiling issue. THAT is being addressed by some current manufacturers of roller lifters, shop carefully to get the latest design.
The roller on the bottom of the lifter has very small roller bearings inside. These bearings starve for
oil at lower rpm, relying mostly on "splashed"
oil for lubrication. Idle speeds and low rpm cruise kill them. Also an incorrect valve lash (to big) will "hammer" them and unlike the flat tappets it doesn't take much to hammer one into oblivion.
Newer rollers have provision for direct
oil pressure feed to the roller bearings. Not ALL blocks are compatible, like original 427 FE side oiler blocks. The "later model service blocks" (427 side oiler) have provision for hydraulic lifters. These are the only blocks I would use without consultation from Gessford or similiar if using roller solids. But you have to be careful with later model "service blocks" due to core shift issues, you need to make sure it IS a "good block".
When Ford went with the roller lifters for the small block they worked out all the details first. Hydrualic rollers are fairly easy to set up for oiling the roller bearings.
Over the years I've got some GREAT information from Club Cobra members. In the case of my roller solid lifters I got some really BAD information suggesting a valve lash WAY to big and "hammering" my rollers unmercifully. Information mostly from a long term member who prides himself on knowing pretty much everything there is to know about motors! So I'm a little more careful what advice I take. The "real builders" like Gessford and Kieth Craft is advice I take seriously. The rest I "filter". Heck I've made mistakes giving "questionable" advice myself!
