Roller cam and FE engine

[Excaliber]

It was never a problem before or 'back in the day', but a couple of things have happened along the way. And flat tappet discussion includes ALL motors, nothing unique about an FE in this regard.

1. EPA mandates for emission controls removed a critical additive to modern engine oils, virtually ALL modern engine oils. I think it was ZDDP, also known by other names. This additive directly relates to cam/flat tappet oil starvation problems, especially during break in.

2. Cam profile/design has become increasingly 'radical' as to lift and duration. What we today might consider a 'mild' grind was a pretty hot setup 'back in the day'. With these new designs valve spring pressure went up, increasing the risk of failure for the cam.

This is an industry wide problem and when it first came to the attention of the major cam grinders most folks blamed it on inferior quality metals. Now we know it's the oil (#1) thats changed, not the cam blanks.

[RICK LAKE]

Excaliber Industry does have a major problem with steel and iron from other countrys. Last 3-5 years, I have had to replace more rotors on cars and truck than to resurface. These are normal driven cars. Rust rings in the rotors,warping,chuncking a pieces coming out of the surfaces. The worst part is this is OEM parts. When people want cheap parts like $25.00 rotors from China in rice boxes, these parts are holding up alot better. I have Chinese rotors on all 3 cars and trucks, no problems. I use the GM pads. Ford has a problem with some cars also. We have lost the Steel industry and manufacturing already. In the next 10 years, The medical industry is going to India. It is cheaper to fly and get operations on than the screw job you get from here. Cost is less than half of having it done here. Hip replacement there $18K with a week recover in hotel with1 member. Here $42K and a 3 day stay. 2 men on my bowling league just had it done. Almost the same operation, new socket and ball on end of hip bone. Rick L.