From a commercial standpoint (reliable, time consuming, risk management, breakin routine) I can certainly understand a hydraulic application.
My labor is cheap enough (37 cents an hour
) that I choose to save a few bucks going flat tappet, PLUS I did want to build a more period correct type of motor. I like 'staying in touch' with my motor and the occasional valve adjustment is just part of the over all experience for me.
Strange thing, when I had the solid roller the profile started around 3000 rpm and then just exploded with power from there it sure was a rush! MAN that thing was FAST, or at least it FELT that way. I figure I gave up about 150 horse power (C.R. reduced from 12.5/1 to 9.6/1), milder cam (flat tappet) and smaller vacuum secondary carbs it didn't 'feel' as fast. But the 1/4 mile times were surprisingly close to what I had before, which blew me away! Gas mileage doubled, street manners are WAY better, power application is much 'smoother'. The smoother part is what fooled me, I was use to the explosion of power kind of feeling before. But that solid roller high compression motor was HELL to drive in traffic!
