Junk lifters

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You can tell that's a Comp box, too. Ridiculous.
 
Are we at the point where we buy new lifters and have them resurfaced before we start?? What a shame
 
That was one of Powell Machine's videos. He's so done with it that he isn't accepting any more lifter regrind jobs because it was hindering the rest of his work. They're a good shop, out in the sticks in Iva, SC.
 
That was one of Powell Machine's videos. He's so done with it that he isn't accepting any more lifter regrind jobs because it was hindering the rest of his work. They're a good shop, out in the sticks in Iva, SC.
Well, he's dead right about the problem not all being break ins done incorrectly. I did everything and then some on this 396 we fired off and it still wiped lobes. It's got a solid roller in it now.
 
That's some sad quality control or lack thereof. I quit using Comp stuff years ago.
 
I came "this close" to replacing the cam in Bazza's 318. Not because it needed one, but rather because when I had the engine out, and I was replacing the timing set (amongst some other things), it was "right there"....

The more I see these videos the more I'm thankful that I didn't do it.
 
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The situation with the garbage hydraulic lifters has only gotten worse. Some how, someone needs to get the suppliers attention. My suggestion would be to put a set of their garbage lifters where the sun don't shine, one at a time!
 
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Are we at the point where we buy new lifters and have them resurfaced before we start?? What a shame

That's what I intend to do. I have three solid lifter V8 builds in my future, I'm taking them in to Oregon Cam when I do the regrind to get them checked and resurfaced as necessary.

It befuddles me how a company can turn out garbage and still stay in business.
 
Personally, I wonder how much of this is coming from Chyna, either at the raw material or finished product level....


Regardless, I'm a roller cam man now.
 
How much good will that do? Resurfacing won't correct crappy metallurgy
I didn't check the hardness, and neither did you. But if they didn't put the crown on the tappet, or didn't get it ground center, then you'll eat the lobe/lifter. Same as if the cam doesn't have the proper taper. So in certain situations absolutely regrinding the tappets can save a cam
 
If you watch more of Powell's videos he covers the hardness concerns & says he's actually seen more failures with harder lifters...

 
If you watch more of Powell's videos he covers the hardness concerns & says he's actually seen more failures with harder lifters...


Interesting. I am curious what changed. GM was having tons of issues starting back in the 80's. All chevy V8's.. we didn't have issues with 4 and 6's.
 
Interesting. I am curious what changed. GM was having tons of issues starting back in the 80's. All chevy V8's.. we didn't have issues with 4 and 6's.
4100 Caddys & 305 Chebbies, backfire through the intake under load, yessiree.....
 
If you watch more of Powell's videos he covers the hardness concerns & says he's actually seen more failures with harder lifters...



He says in one of his videos that he's Rockwell tested a ton of lifters (and cams) and they all checked out good, it's not a metallurgy issue.
 
So is there a vendor out there somewhere who sells lifter rebuild kits?
 
So is there a vendor out there somewhere who sells lifter rebuild kits?
Interesting idea. It would require surface reconditioning or at least cam to tappet integrity. It can be done at home but would need a surfacing plate.
 
I know there is threads about this but we all need reminded.


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Great info for our new members.
 
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