link bar lifters vs traditional

[madmaxx]

is there any advantage to link bar lifters vs the traditional. I assume in the end they are about the same as far as longevity.

[mickmate]

The link bars are usually used on roller rockers to keep them in alignment with the cam.
Roller rockers, less friction and wear, more power.

[madmaxx]

Sorry, assume both lifters are hydraulic rollers with normal base circle

[Three Peaks]

The link bar lifters are usually used on engines not already set up for roller lifters, which need an alignment system to keep the rollers aligned with the cam. Easy way to change over a flat tappet engine to roller cam, but expensive.

Probably approximately the life span of standard roller lifters, but I've read several accounts of link bars failing and bad things happening pretty quickly.

bob

[Rick Parker]

The weak link is the pin that secures the bar to the lifter body. If it breaks the lifter body will rotate in the bore allowing it to instantly wipe off the cam lobe. If it jambs it can break up the block too. Things get ugly REAL FAST.

[Jac Mac]

Why blame the link bar, provided the valve train has correct geometry & setup something usually has to go amiss in the valve train for it to fail, broken springs, bent pushrods, stuck/bent valve, over rev etc can all allow enough play to allow the lifter to be pushed out of the lifter bore far enough to turn slightly, its all down hill from there..
The production 'H-bar' is lift limited and in that original low lift form probably has a much easier life than its performance counterparts.

[sllib]

If you use a link-bar setup check the clearance to the block on both ends. I had to relieve my block in two places; if I hadn't dry run my set up I might have missed a slight contact with the block, which would have turned into a very ugly contact at speed.
Bill

[madmaxx]

It appears in the end there is no advantage to link bar style unless you are forced to use them do to a retrofit or block is not set up for the dog bone style.

Bottom line for a hydraulic roller the stock ford racing lifter is as good as it gets as long as you can use the dog bone style retainer.

I have had good luck with the ford racing lifters even with spring pressures in excess of 400lbs.

[PANAVIA]

In mad Maxxs paradigm above things sound good , however a word of caution.

we have seen recently several wear scenarios were the roller lifters and in one case a regular hydraulic lifter capitulated in the face of high valve spring pressures. DONT CHEAP OUT ON LIFTERS !!! make sure they are good, I personally like COMP CAMS stuff in this regard.

we have pulled out several no-name ford roller lifters recently which turned out to be no-name imported junk as opposed to good steel from USA / MX / CAN ( its OK to go nafta )

---Steve