I am building a stock 200 Falcon Six ( sorry--not a V8)--but I think this problem is becoming a universal one......
I hear of far more cam or lifter failures recently than ever before. I was discussing this with the owner of the machine shop who is doing the work on my Falcon six and he verified it. In his experience, cam and lifter failures became more of a problem since Covid. Maybe there is no relation to Covid, but maybe it is just a convenient way to mark the time
He related several engines he has build using flat tappet cams with cams and lifters coming from well-known US manufacturers all failed within 12 minutes on the dyno. Its not EVERY engine, but a significant percentage that fail. His response has been to recommend roller cams.
He also noted that he only buys all his parts from US distributors with whom he has worked for 40 years. Recently, some cams and lifter sets come in plain white boxes with no markings at all. He has asked his suppliers and they tell him that is the way they come, now. He suggested that any parts that come in plain white unmarked boxes be refused / not accepted and returned.
I asked him about using zinc-rich oil and he agreed, but still he sees failures.
He says old parts in good shape are better than new.
I told him I will be using oem springs--they all tested to meet the FSM specs and he said that would work in my favor. Accept that the engine will never spin over 4500-5000 rpm and I should be better off.
So--here i am asking if that fits with all your experience? My machine shop has been doing this work for over 40 years--he build some rare and exotic stuff--so don't just blame him. I am asking about your experience.
I hear of far more cam or lifter failures recently than ever before. I was discussing this with the owner of the machine shop who is doing the work on my Falcon six and he verified it. In his experience, cam and lifter failures became more of a problem since Covid. Maybe there is no relation to Covid, but maybe it is just a convenient way to mark the time
He related several engines he has build using flat tappet cams with cams and lifters coming from well-known US manufacturers all failed within 12 minutes on the dyno. Its not EVERY engine, but a significant percentage that fail. His response has been to recommend roller cams.
He also noted that he only buys all his parts from US distributors with whom he has worked for 40 years. Recently, some cams and lifter sets come in plain white boxes with no markings at all. He has asked his suppliers and they tell him that is the way they come, now. He suggested that any parts that come in plain white unmarked boxes be refused / not accepted and returned.
I asked him about using zinc-rich oil and he agreed, but still he sees failures.
He says old parts in good shape are better than new.
I told him I will be using oem springs--they all tested to meet the FSM specs and he said that would work in my favor. Accept that the engine will never spin over 4500-5000 rpm and I should be better off.
So--here i am asking if that fits with all your experience? My machine shop has been doing this work for over 40 years--he build some rare and exotic stuff--so don't just blame him. I am asking about your experience.
