Flat tappet cam life

[Ant]

Originally Posted by Jac Mac

Every 4th season of SFOS racing from my experience Ant & that includes letting the rockers off each year. BTW I have not forgotten your shifter lever, its still here.

Hi Jac Mac,

Thanks that sounds like a good schedule, I turn my engine one complete turn every month for what its worth. I used to loosen rockers, but havent bothered with this engine, maybe its a good preventative measure, I was under the impression modern valve springs are a lot better than the mid 1970's product?

I would like to organise the shift lever, might email you and get your contact number, let me know as I am getting closer to needing it.

[Jac Mac]

Not a problem on the lever--
The TVR donk suffers more damage from corrosion etc than any actual usage, Normally we shut it down/choke it to death on oil each year- basicly squirt oil down the two front barrels while its running @ around 2500 rpm until its showing blue smoke out back, once the smoke shows we kill it & be ready to stall if necessary in top gear, too much oil & they will diesel or in worst case scenario run backwards, you dont want that to happen believe me! It happened to me on my old Boss 302 once- never ever again, I didnt realise how many Fugly noises a motor could make.
One broken valve spring & signs of delamination in the cam brgs, along with a stretched timing chain were only problems after five seasons in total on that build- hence my suggestion of four seasons max. Only one outer coil broken ( In two places ), no apparent reason & no other collateral damage so I would suggest that it happened during last race or later. Gotta be lucky sometime.