Flat tappet cam life

[Rick Parker]

I agree with Ernie, I prefer solid lifter flat tappet, very infrequent adjustment, good sounds (like an original) and no worries of a link bar coming apart or needle bearings being indiscrimenently disperssed throughout the engine. Lower cost can be considered a side benefit, but overall maintenance is less than with solid roller and for me was the main consideration. Using the correct oil is of course paromount.

[Wayne Maybury]

OK, the temperature of oil has been mentioned a couple of times. What is a good oil temperature range? I have an oil cooler, more for looks than performance, maybe I should by pass it.

I rebuilt a 289 hi po 271 HP many years ago. The factory rod bearings had holes in them, the new ones didn't. I drilled holes in the new bearings to match up with the holes in the rods. I ran the hell out of that engine for years afterwards with no problems. Those little holes certainly add lubrication to the cylinder walls and the cam & lifters.

Wayne

[Snakebit]

I just read a test by Amsoil on motorcycle oil. Mobil MX4T had a zinc content of .017. SH rated. SM rating meets the cat converter regs and has a lower zinc content.

This is a synthetic oil which was mentioned in another test by the GM engineer, does not cling to metal parts over a period of time as well as regular oil. If we are storing our cars for short periods of time, it would make more sense to use a conventional oil. He saw no advantage of using synthetic over conventional and that all oil should be changed at 3000 miles.

So for flat tappet cams is the general consenis Shell Rotella?