I think I'm going to build my first FE

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by 767Jockey

Darn, Barry - that's EXACTLY what I want...

If you have Barry building/breaking-it-in it for you, ask him about "trading up" to a solid, flat tappet cam. With the Ersons you'll only be adjusting them once a year or so and, IMHO, a big FE in a Cobra just cries out for a solid, flat tappet cam. I'm sure everyone on this board agrees with me.

[767Jockey]

Originally Posted by patrickt

If you have Barry building/breaking-it-in it for you, ask him about "trading up" to a solid, flat tappet cam. With the Ersons you'll only be adjusting them once a year or so and, IMHO, a big FE in a Cobra just cries out for a solid, flat tappet cam. I'm sure everyone on this board agrees with me.

I couldn't agree more. I'm an old geezer now (49) and very much old school. The sound of a snotty idle rumbling through deep toned pipes with the sweet chorus of solid lifters singing through the background makes the hair on my arms stand up just thinking about it. However.....

There's only two ways this engine can be built due to financial constraints. One of for me to gather the parts as recommended, find a competent local machinist (I already found him) and assemble it myself. The other is for me to scrape together a few extra bucks, which all things being equal I would prefer to do, and have someone like Barry, Keith Craft or the local guy assemble the shortblock. There's no possible way I can afford to have someone assemble and break in the engine. As much as I'd like to there's just no way I can afford that.

This means that I'll be the one to start and break the engine in. I just don't want to take any chances with doing that myself with a flat tappet cam. I've heard so many horror stories on here about how hard they are to break in now with the new oil and God knows why else that the hydro roller will be one other problem off my mind. If I was able to have it built and run in by a pro, I'd love to have a solid cam, no doubt about it. I agree with you 100%. There's just no way I'll do it on my own. I realize that there's just a small chance that it'll get wiped out on startup. There's not enough space to type here to tell you about the horrible luck I've had in the last 6 years. Trust me, as soon as I start it it'll wipe out, and likely take everything else with it. I'd love solids, but I'm staying hydro roller.

Damn, I do so agree with you on the sound though. Such sweet music solids do make.