The Guaranteed Way to Break in Your Flat Tappet Camshaft in Modern Times

[@BadTreeProductions]

Modern times call for moddern salutations. Jopar Moe is a man for the people

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks to the BTP community

[@nwee5758]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYHTd4J3mZegfdksi=FqL4ag7y-NLFj8E5

[@moparnut6286]

Everything you said is right on and always prime the oiling system...the best way to see the convex on the end of the lifter is by putting it on the side of another lifter as that's is supposed to be dead straight. Good job as always Joe.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks, John! Hopefully it helps someone out there

[@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259]

Finally, someone who knows why you place the bottom of a liter against the side of another lifter. As opposed to placing the bottom of two lifters against each other (where the heck did this dumb idea come from?).

[@nwee5758]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYHTd4J3mZegfdksi=FqL4ag7y-NLFj8E5

[@Rukas6116]

​@thisisyourcaptainspeaking2259 putting the two convex sides together allows you to see them more easily. They have to exist in the first place, tho

[@jimmyford796]

I’ve got a Comp cam and lifters in the 318 I built I built for my Dakota. I have over 8000 miles on it and no problems knock on wood lol.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Excellent!

[@Duster_Garage]

I’m right there with you on everything you did. One other step I do is remove the inner valve springs, if you have dual springs. Then reinstall them after break-in. It’s a pain but I believe a lot of cam failures come from too much spring pressure during break-in.

[@JustMoparJoe]

True that! This one was set back to stock pressure, so it was less worrisome.

[@BareRoseGarage]

Spot on and good catch man. I can see why Joe didn't mention it in this one (because it's stock) but most definitely. I've even used an old set of springs that are weaker as long as they are the same lift. Just to be sure.

[@paulhershberger8774]

Always prime it. I had a machine shop press in a cam journal bearing wrong and the oil port hole was in the wrong place. No oil to LH head. Caught it during priming oil pump.

[@petesmith5092]

​@@paulhershberger8774 Excellent point, and exactly why I build my own. When the Machine Shop asks if I want them to press the cam bearings I decline. (Only once they asked) Tell Joe ta GITTIT! 🤭✌️❤

[@crazyoilfieldmechanic3195]

I put in a Competition Cams extreme energy flat tappet cam 2 years ago and never had a single problem with it. I used Rhodes lifters as it's a 540 lift cam but I'm running 1.6 rockers which gives more lift and is harder on the lifters. I changed out all the valve springs for the bone stock ones. Ran the engine for 45 minutes at 2500 rpm and then switched out all the springs for the correct pressure ones. Never had a single issue. It is a hardened camshaft though and I wasn't happy with the extra cost but it's worth it not to have issues.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks for sharing!

[@mrpurcountry]

Really great information for the new hot Rod engine builders. My uncle and old-time Mopar man would never run a new engine on detergent oil because it washes away the zinc additives that the cam needs for break in.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Right on! I’ve heard that many times.

[@johnkrag6]

Bullitt Cams in Memphis,TN is another good source for flat tappet cams. They check their lifters on a tappet grinder. That ISKY lube is the best. Crane Cams years ago when Harvey Crane still owned it was one of the best and of course Isky is good also. Keep in mind use a good break-in oil during the 45-60 min run. I use Amsoil breakin oil and then use Amsoil high zinc phos oils. No problems.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks for sharing! Bullet had never steered me wrong. They actually balanced the engine in my dads old racecar.

[@johnkrag6]

Bullitt Cams also has a man that shares space in their building that grinds cranks. He's real good ...... @@JustMoparJoe

[@Anthony-nw5zv]

Running the engine without the cover on brings me back to the late 80's, I broke in a cam and lifters (Comp mileage cam 260 lift flat tappet) for a 400 Chevy Caprice wagon. Neighbors came in the early morning to see what the ruckus was. Both valve covers off and I'm adjusting the rockers while I'm braking in the cam . I set the brand new plug wires on fire 🔥 😂. Ran great especially with the shift😂shift kit in the TH400 BARKIN THE TIRES THROUGHOUT DETROIT 😊.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Yea sir. That’s the only way my dad would do it on a Chevy.

[@davidkeeton6716]

No point in that with a Mopar or Ford with shaft mounted rockers. You can't adjust them with it running.

[@allhailinternalcombustion]

Good practical advice. There are so many channels out there just running around yelling "the sky is falling" and not providing ideas on how to work around the problem. Cams are basically the brain of the engine and we all have to give our version of brain surgery a little more thought and prep. The days of throw some lube on it and it'll be ok are long gone. Thanks Joe!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother! We gotta face everything and rise!

[@nwee5758]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/mYHTd4J3mZegfdksi=FqL4ag7y-NLFj8E5

[@robertwest3093]

Building a break in stand is quick and easy and saves much more difficult work if you install an engine that fails. I'm subscribed!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother. I actually had a viewer make this one for me, after mine started to fall in on the 508 stroker build I did!

[@terrymeyer9895]

Isky cams have been very, very good to me. Their prices have gone up significantly. And yes, soak the lifters!!! I've always done that. No matter what cam and lifter kit is used! Old school lessons are still the best lessons. Great video Joe, thanks for your wisdom!! Keep up the good work!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Terry Legend! I appreciate your support and knowledge !

[@musclecarmitch908]

Great tips Joe! I miss the good old days when everyone could just use the recommended cam lube and not have to worry about shoddy machine work!👍

[@JustMoparJoe]

Very true!

[@davidkeeton6716]

Yeah, those days are gone with the 70s and 80s. I sold Comp, Crane, Isky, back then. Lots of their stuff. NEVER had a customer have a part failure during break in. Bad materials and bad machine work now days. Product of the "whatever" generation.

[@musclecarmitch908]

@@davidkeeton6716 yep!👍

[@gordocarbo]

True. If I chose to run a store brand regrind of the fav mfr didnt matter. They all held up pretty well.

[@don66hotrod94]

Just perfect timing, Joe! Will be replacing a junk comp cam and lifters soon. Thanks for this video.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks buddy!

[@rodneybyrd9516]

Sounds healthy!! Good street motor with a broad torque band!!

[@JustMoparJoe]

She’s a nice one!

[@rodneybyrd9516]

Suiting the customers needs and wants perfectly!! @@JustMoparJoe

[@edsmachine93]

Joe nice job on the how to do and the explanation of the whole process. I have been using Isky Rev lube for over 45 years and people I knew used it before I did. I would definitely call this engine a success at this time. All of the work in this engine is such a good and positive benefit. Very sanitary build. Sounds great, starts good. Thanks for sharing. Take care, Ed.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Ed!

[@cjm5002]

Now the next step, according to all the farmers I know, is put it in the truck and go tow with it in the hills. Put it through the paces and make those rings seat under hard work, not hot rodding around doing burn outs n crap. All the 400k mile engines I have seen have been old farm trucks so I trust that advice. I'm glad you're telling the owner roughly the same thing!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother. Pulling a ramcharger anywhere definitely helps ring break in. One thing to keep in mind is that Mr. Rick Seeman did the hone in this build with the precision of a Profilometer. It got a precise finish to quickly and easily break in the rings. Some guys say that you can tell it within a few passes on the dyno.

[@gutsanglory1]

I used to have a spare set of valve covers with the tops cut out, after break in I would quickly swap the covers and run, check the rod movement, oiling, and reset the lash while hot and running. Great video! Cheerz!!!

[@JustMoparJoe]

That's a great idea! Thanks brother

[@ELDIABLO444]

Your Dad taught you pretty damn good !!! Mopar Joe. Before I drove a truck for 25 plus years I was a 3 year trained diesel mechanic so I'm a roller man cause all but a small few are roller cammed including injection pumps are all roller cam operated so I'm a roller inclined guy but the metal they make cams out of today isn't as good quality as what roller camshafts are made of, but since a Dodge and Ford have got a thrust plate to locate the Cam I'd go roller but The cost issue prevents alot of people from choosing a roller cam but you do good work I'm proud of you all the best to you and yours Sir.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks for the support!

[@rodneybyrd9516]

Excellent info, as always, Joe!! The heads @ed's machine look awesome as well!! I love the REV-LUBE and keep a can in stock myself, and I have also used the ARP bolt lube moly paste in a pinch with great results!! Your application of lube was perfect, but beware of too much moly paste, I heard a guy built a Buick 455 and used it everywhere, pistons, bearings, rockers and clogged his oil filter up on break in!! He saw the oil pressure dropping and investigated immediately and the paste was restricting the filter!! Like silicone RTV, it has it's place in moderation.

[@edsmachine93]

Thanks Rodney, I appreciate the positive comments.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Rod. I was able to resmear a lot of it, back into place.

[@rodneybyrd9516]

Yes, the wonder of that stuff is the film you can't really see is still there until the heat and flow of oil washes it away and by then, it should have a mated surface at the contact point. I think "non-detergent" oil may be recommended on break-ins for that reason, to give the coatings and solid lubricants time to actually be effective!! @@JustMoparJoe

[@BigBlock402]

Very good explanation of whats going on and what to actually look for. Thanks for keeping us informed.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks buddy

[@duncanmacrae6384]

Love the striping the pushrods idea! Years ago an older guy showed me he would put liquid graphite on the cam first, then the lube. This has worked really well for me.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Very cool!

[@gregtough9055]

Great video and advice as always!! I soak my lifters as well, I think a bit of oil in them never hurts.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Greg. I know many guys who are scared to or against it.

[@davidkeeton6716]

You don't need to. Just prime the oil system before cranking it. Maybe turn the motor through a bit, them prime again. Set your lifter preload if hydraulic and fire it up and break it in as per the cam company instructions.

[@devillockj]

I’m part of a team that fires up and breaks in several new rebuilds a week. I agree on the comp sentiments/ horrible amount of them come back within weeks wiped out. Flat tappet cams suck, lifters suck. Basically everything for older engines suck now unless you are using nos parts. It’s brutal In an engine shop where you try to honour your warranty, shit like this can kill a business if you don’t learn quick

[@JustMoparJoe]

I can absolutely see that. Thanks for sharing your experience

[@yafois988]

I 'm wonder ing it isn't broader then just cpm cam and lifters. Just today speaking to owner of a cam grinding shop west coast, he's seethe FT lobe death thing in plenty of other cam MFG too. Yet some CC stuff if poor quality, yet he OK's some things like the guide plates & the steel RRA pieces.

[@RandomPasserby-l5x]

The worst are previously reputable brands that were bought by cheap parts resellers. Great example are thermostats for B/RB Mopars. You cannot buy anything new close to NOS quality. I bought new "premium" Gates and it looked like something built from scrap with the most worn out stamping dies by children in India ... oh wait. Made in India. Cross-section was about 2/3 of old Mopar thermostat and it opened maybe 1/2" in pot of boiling water. Motorad is the exact same junk. Ended up modifying Magneti Marelli thermostat for some Toyota engine. Made in Italy. Nice welded design without sharp corners to minimize turbulence ... 10 EUR. Original Toyota one is even nicer but it does not fit under the water neck on B/RB.

[@ashleyjennings5224]

If you run the oil pump to pre-lube you don't need to soak the lifters. If you have oil coming out of the pushrods the lifter is full of oil.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Mopars have solid pushrods until the late 80’s. They don’t oil through the pushrods until the magnum engines.

[@ashleyjennings5224]

@@JustMoparJoe Except you were talking about your roller motor, not an early motor. And I made it clear when I said when you have oil coming out of the push rods didn't I.

[@JustMoparJoe]

@@ashleyjennings5224 my oil comes out of the rocker shaft. I show in the video my priming of the system. The idea is to take extra steps to ensure the cam lasts.

[@josephpuchel6497]

Hey I was told to soak lifters early on along with checking each lifter in bore for movement. Never had any issues.

[@ronwelch6548]

Another great show. Not overwhelming on info, just right. Keep it up Joe.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Much appreciated!

[@tims72demon]

Good info Joe. I’ve had several friends have that issue with flat tappets the past few years. So I put hydraulic rollers in my 360. It’ll be a daily driver and maybe a fun weekend at the local track. I use Lucas in all my vehicles. 👍👍👍

[@JustMoparJoe]

Right on! Thanks Tim

[@tims72demon]

@@JustMoparJoe Hope to meet everyone in a few weeks. Will just be a spectator this year. But I’ll be there 👍

[@JustMoparJoe]

@@tims72demon that’s great! I’ve got a Rollcall video in the works

[@rickyfulks889]

Great tip Joe, everyone should do that test for rotation. I think thats whats wiping lobes. No rotation

[@JustMoparJoe]

Exactly!!it doesn’t cost a thing to check

[@davidkeeton6716]

They will not rotate if the cam is not ground with the correct taper and the lifters are not made with the correct convex cam contact surface. These are things we used to take for granted when manufacturers had ethics.

[@MidnightOilsRestoration]

Excellent tips! Guaranteed to save money and grief, thanks brother 😁

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Ryan

[@PoorBoysGarageUSMC]

Great vid as usual Joe. Perfect timing before I break in this 440 I just dropped in the 70 Coronet

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother! Good luck!

[@TsGoodTimesGarage]

She's a runner! Good info Joe! Can't wait to get to this point on the Free 83!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks T! Hope you get that moho engine back on the road!

[@michaelkienhofer6394]

I just built a 351M used Lucas and followed these steps with Great results! Excellent Thanks!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Excellent!

[@BareRoseGarage]

Great video Joe! Almost exactly what I do. The only thing I do different is that I do pump up the lifters with a Lifter Oiler. No idea where dad got his (and he's had it longer than he's had me), but it's the one I've always used. It's just a little hand pumped oil can with a small nozzle that squirts the oil into the lifter hole. I do that until air quits popping out and drop them right into the hole.

[@JustMoparJoe]

That’s a cool practice! Dad makes the difference!

[@robertheymann5906]

I've used Isky rev lube also.... Good stuff, zero cam/lifter problems

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother

[@budlanctot3060]

Instead of using a red magic marker on the pushrods, I'd suggest using Dykem liquid, like machinists use. It comes in red or blue, and does not come off easily. I took some old stamped steel rocker covers and drilled like 5/8" dia. holes on the inside(manifold side) of the valve covers in line with all the pushrods. I can use a dental mirror and a penlite to watch the pushrods spin, and with little or no mess.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Very clean !

[@terryboothe2309]

I was watching Graveyard Carz tonight and there was a plastic jug with lifters soaking in oil waiting to go in a 440 . I think I like my lifters soaked . Thanks for another great informative video

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Terry! I heard your lifters will be rolling!

[@terryboothe2309]

@@JustMoparJoe you’re exactly right .

[@vrm86gt]

Good job! I like the line on the pushrod tip! Thanks!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Absolutely! Old trick

[@TonysHotRodGarage]

Excellent and effective procedure. Great video as usual Joe! That 360 sure sounds healthy. 👍

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Tony! See you soon bud

[@keithrbrown8179]

I did a lot of research. I went with comp for one reason only. I am going to run solid lifters. Comp makes a light weight tool steel lifter that I DLC COATED. I selected a custom cam with the the specs for my combination 440. I had the cam manufactured with a three bolt cam gear attachment and had the NITRIDED.. Between the high lubricity of the DLC coating and the increases hardness of the nitrided lobes I hope to avoid avoid any issue. I will also take the steps Joe is describing here because they will still apply to my parts and is good solid procedure for any flat tappet install. Between the DLC lifters and nitrided custom cam I have $495 in the cam and $118 in the lifters. Roughly twice the cost of non coated/treated components. Check out DLC coatings at comp and Calico Coatings

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks for sharing! Good luck with your install and build 👍🏼

[@raysimon1368]

I haven't run a new comp cam in 10 years because I have a big stack of mostly big block mopar cams and they are about 15 to 20 years old most new and the only time I lost one was when I got real comfortable about not having any trouble with them and did not take the inner spring out of a 557 solid flat tappet with harland sharps 1.6 rockers which gave me .594 lift and I was running racer brown triple springs so I never break one in now with the inner spring in it and I also soak my lifters always use lucus products too and prelube the engine too do everything I can to set the timing prime the carb and fire it immediately so it won't wipe the lubes off the cam cranking on it don't build as many motors as I used to but got a lot of purple shaft cams to use when I do I trust the old stuff to work thanks for all your sharing at my age it's all a good reminder good video as usual

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Ray. I have a few of the bullet cams and lifters left from around 2010. Dad kept buying cans and lifter sets and trying to go faster each weekend.

[@OlysGarage]

As always, well explained and presented! Engine sounds really good! Nice build!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thank you very much!

[@pwpt6]

I'm with ya on soaking the lifters. I was taught the same way. Even though mines a Gen 3 Hemi 392. And it's all roller, I still soak mine.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Yes sir. Thanks for sharing!

[@jonmoore8995]

Mopar Joe, Amazing, I have an Isky 505 T cam, lifters and springs in my 440 since 1982.... going strong still. Use rev lubes also.

[@JustMoparJoe]

That’s a great cam!

[@rayowens4355]

Nice video Joe! Great info! Sounds good too!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Ray!

[@stuartclements9290]

STD old school procedures work. 35 yrs of race an hp building now retired. Well done.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother! My old daddy made a many an engine run, in less than ideal circumstances.

[@trackandtravelwithrick8933]

We had good luck with our Isky Over 200 passes. Check. Double check and prelube. Needs the zinc! Good vid Joe.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Yes sir! Tell ‘em where you heard it 👍🏼

[@martywilsonwilsonenginesho7940]

Nice video sir. I do the EXACT SAME THING, SAME COMPONENTS AND LUBES. We got "lucky" last year with a Comp XE274 cam that I had Comp Nitride for my SBC 400. After my order (and about 6 months) they had a whole run of XE274s ready for sale, already Nitrided. Again, good video for us all.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks for sharing!

[@martywilsonwilsonenginesho7940]

@@JustMoparJoe My pleasure!

[@Dartfreak75]

I agree with the lucas break in oil. I've never used the isky lube I use the red break in cam lube. Great video as always!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks buddy. Try the Isky stuff next time 👍🏼

[@ClintsStreetMachines]

Great video Joe. I've always done it the same way...pretty much. I'll mark the pushrods on the next build.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother!

[@ldean-du5im]

Thanks Joe good update on the truck.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother!

[@thomasward4505]

Too many worries with flat tappet cam any engine I build from now on is going to have roller lifters

[@JustMoparJoe]

I have a new set of solid and hydraulic flat tappets I’m saving from my NOS parts from Michigan. Mopar circa 2000

[@Haffschlappe]

Chinese Roller cams and lifters suck

[@big3fan916]

As I’ve said in the past for Mopars it’s Racer Brown Cams , the one in my 493 is a STX22 , Valvoline VR1 oil with break in additive and never let mine just idle lol

[@JustMoparJoe]

Oh man! Thanks for sharing

[@benjamintresham9649]

I don’t put the thick or heavy state lube on the lifter’s. Keep it for the camshaft lobes and oil only on the lifters. I heat the camshaft completely with propane torch and heat till you can’t touch it and spray it with molybond hard setting formula and it sets hard and bakes onto the lobes.

[@JustMoparJoe]

That’s a new idea! Cheers

[@setha360]

Last summer rebuilt a 1977 chevy 454, had a comp cam and a old stock 454 gm cam, so glad I went with the beefier stock cam and no cam lobe wipe, ya lost maybe 40hp, but it pulls 6k trailer, also I pump oil in lifters before use, as the engine gets hand turned they bleed down and no dry start up, break in oil and prime the oil pump.

[@NSBCustomCars]

Good stuff man, We had pretty good luck with the driven brand last time we did a cam break in. We will have to try the Isky Rev lube on our next one!!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Good stuff! See y’all soon!

[@travisbeavers1203]

I'm kinda pissed kinda not thanks for the info but I bought my cam a few years ago from comp and aint my engine all the way together yet...ballin on a budget hopefully it'll make it

[@JustMoparJoe]

Sorry Travis. You may have success. Many guys do, but if the failed cams I know of personally, 3/4 of them are comp.

[@MP-pz9oe]

All right Mopar Joe ; thank you for sharing your experience .

[@JustMoparJoe]

I appreciate that! It’s less than many and more than some. I’ll keep learning each day.

[@Jon-O.]

Ever thought of trying Amsoil engine assembly lube and Amsoil Beakin oil SAE30. Both are high zinc formulas and are synthetic based. Excellent combination for newly rebuilt engines. This stuff is like liquid gold. You might want to check it out. Then after breakin they have high zinc Z-Rod Synthetic Motor Oils 10w30, 40 and 20w50 weights. You go back to the regular stuff once you try it.

[@JustMoparJoe]

I knew some guys who swear by it

[@a70duster]

Good call on making sure there is lifter rotation via the pushrods. I've gone as far as removing the valley pan on a 383 and watch each lifter rotate on initial cam break in.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Excellent idea. I would imagine it wasn’t as messy as pulling valve covers

[@a70duster]

@@JustMoparJoe Some oil did get sparyed around, but it's a lot easier to clean oil off an engine vs. cleaning metal out of an engine. kzbin.infoz3nYkNRW7NI?si=bQNb7bMj5jN8oMYl

[@JustMoparJoe]

@@a70duster I gave you a sub. I definitely want to see what kind of big block action you’ve got going on!

[@a70duster]

@@JustMoparJoe a '70 Duster, drag car. Best at Bandimere (5800 feet) was 10.9 at 126. This engine is a 383 0.060 over with a 440 crank. That comes out to 438 in³. kzbin.info/www/bejne/rKabZIOwnMqXbLMfeature=shared

[@johnelliott7375]

My Grandfather was same as your Dad, I do a routine that is almost as similar as what you're doing with your motor.

[@roybuzbee7169]

The first cam I ever installed was in a 65 Mustang 200 six. It was a fairly choppy solid lift mellings. I just pulled out the original and shoved it in with new solid lifters and adjustable rockers from a 170. Adjusted everything, buttoned it up and drov it for around 10 years with no more adjustment.

[@stannelson2582]

Videos like this wish you were my neighbor so I could hang out and ask questions that I should know the answer to. Then get a tool then clean a tool then ask more then recover from you slapping me in the back of the head for talking too much. I’m not smart so id keep asking lol. Hope you chuckled. Thanks for the content I enjoyed it!!!!

[@JustMoparJoe]

😂 thanks Stan!

[@turbotom416]

I always keep the lifters up right and just cover the tops with oil and see air bubbles coming out of the lifters.

[@JustMoparJoe]

I see the bubbles, so it’s gotta do something. I’ve always done it that way

[@ronwade5646]

My Mom had then I had her 1972 Satellite with 318 2 bbl, auto/AC and I got 23 mph after I worked on it a while. Put big old tires on the back and lived in Flagstaff, my friends in Phoenix called me a Snowbird.

[@JustMoparJoe]

I dig it!

[@joe-hp4nk]

If it's a big cam with high pressure springs you must use light springs and or low ratio rockers for break in.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Yes sir. That’s a common one. Many single coils now can handle decent lift cams to around .500.

[@Rick-h4e]

I used all crower valve train when I built my sbc 383 & they were Johnson lifters seems ok, & running great, know a guy with new bbc comp cam set & didn't run hardly anytime at all & its shot , lifters & cam wiped out.

[@darwinfoster7420]

I have run many comp cams and never had a failure. I also ran crower and Isky with no problems

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother. I had to put out what I’ve experienced, especially after researching after the last years since the pandemic started.

[@joshsiegle1229]

Makin' it look easy :) Thanks Joe!

[@JustMoparJoe]

I appreciate it, Josh! Mopar to the front!

[@brianandglendaharkin9457]

I had that Isky sticker on my 265 / 4 speed Hemi 6 CL Ute 🇦🇺which is a Drifter Ute that’s over 28 years ago . Those 265 Hemis will sort out most V8s. Check out our E49 Chargers iv had some serious fast 🇦🇺Hemis . Great Job as usual Joe . She going to be a beaut motor . 😀

[@JustMoparJoe]

Very cool! Cheers brother

[@copperaudio9664]

Valuable advice Joe, Thanks

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother

[@Haffschlappe]

In Germany we check and reground lifters and mostly the Elgin pro Stock cams and lifters are ok

[@smilsmff]

from research there are only 1 camshaft manufacturer who make the basic core and around 2 maybe 3 lifter makers any more. I have a Hyd Flat TAPPET Comp cam with zero issues at 10 years old.and in the 1980s i was told once my 340 was started let normal break in method followed then I took car out ran it up to 100MPH and went backe and rechecked all bolts

[@JustMoparJoe]

I believe comp cams has taken a severe turn in the last 10 years in quality and reliability. I like my NOS comp in my racecar

[@egodeathplease]

I thought the oil pressure in the lifter galley is what takes up the slack in the valve train. Depending on your max oil pressure you may have slack in your valve train. Or valve float if your pressure is to high for you springs.

[@JustMoparJoe]

The oil takes up some slack, but the valve spring is designed to overcome the camshaft lift, and provide pressure to prevent valve float. When the lifter pumps up, it can’t pump up anymore, whether it’s 20 psi or 100.

[@danielcadnum7214]

It’s due to poor quality metallurgical properties in the castings, bad and poor hardening processes and bad non-angled concentric grids on the lobes cussing the lifter to not turn in the lifter bore. And, or tight lifter bores and/or poor metal and hardening process on the lifters. Also, proper engine break-in process is imperative. I know that’s a lot. But, your cam is the heart of power for your engine. Good oil with ZDDP in it helps too. Good luck. 👍🍀

[@thud9797]

The Rockwell hardness testing videos I have seen do not show a problem with hardness. The cam cores should all be made by CWC in Michigan so if you see the CWC name cast into the cam then it's a good cam as far as hardness is concerned, agree that the machining of the cam and the taper of the lobes is much more likely to be the issue.

[@ezelk1337]

Great information. Especially marking the pushrods. What cam are you using? It sounds real healthy.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother. I was able to show the cam in an earlier video. It’s an older “Clevite performance” grind.

[@wildrosegarage4208]

Well said! Comp has been junk for years yet people still by them. I like Howards never have had a problem with them. I have never had issue with Melling as well but there kind of wimpy grinds. I soak my lifters in sae 40 in a mason jar. I use STP on my cams or a close seconed choice is petrolium jelly believe it or not a old timer taught me that. Good stuff Joe.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Nolan. The old school ways are still working.

[@johnelliott7375]

Always have and always will soak the lifters. Dad is a smart person. 🤓

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks John

[@donaldhill2775]

All good advice, fully rebuilt sb Ford on comp flat tappet with solid lifters, smear what you like on the cam lobes it won’t be on there long, let it run at a fast idle while you burp it and check for any leaks or problems, your done there is no magic break in procedure, you determined how things were going to go when you bolted it together, tight clearance’s, sketchy valve train set up, and the crap hydraulic lifters you love, just saying 👍

[@joehlavaty3580]

I haven’t looked into the isky lube , but I bet it close to the same as arp bolt anti seize .. I was told by a solid engine builder that’s what he used and recommend ,I’ve definitely had good luck with this practice

[@cbobmonster]

Great video. Awesome information.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother

[@TheDustyaman]

The last 3 years I've used comp. Summit, and howards. Never had an issue with any cams getting wiped.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Very good! Thank you for sharing

[@johnlasyone8876]

I see pat & frankie on horsepower tv using the spray on valve train and cam lubricant. Looks like it could be a good idea. And have you ever tried DVs oil extreme he talked about in a video kinda overshadowing zinc? Good content keep up the great work joe

[@JustMoparJoe]

Great point! I haven’t tried that before. I like the Goodson engine gel for many parts like the pushrod tips etc.

[@reginaldhall6871]

What has Comp changed? Is the cam or the lifters the problem, or both? I've always ran Comp cams but lately they've turned to crap. I'm nervous to start my 383 up for its initial start up

[@JustMoparJoe]

I’m really not sure. I’m assuming offshore lifters.

[@318willrun]

Good stuff! Hopefully you saved a cam out there somewhere!

[@JustMoparJoe]

I hope so too! Thanks buddy

[@robertheymann5906]

Great video, should help many

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother

[@midwestlee-iw8nl]

good job , I like it

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@turboboy-oq6xe]

Curious as to why you didn’t go roller with the magnum block?

[@JustMoparJoe]

To do it properly, we would have needed to upgrade rocker arms and springs. This engine uses the LA style shaft rockers, and stamped steel rocker arms. So adding new rockers, springs, adjusting the cost of the roller cam and roller lifters, it’d be $1,500 more. For an example, Howard’s roller lifters for small block mopar are $661 pre tax at Summit. These Isky flat tappets were under $300.

[@turboboy-oq6xe]

@@JustMoparJoe gotcha cost type thing I get that

[@VinnyMartello]

I had a comp cam and it failed pretty quickly. Elgin lifters are trash. I bought an old ass melling cam and some Johnson lifters and 14,000 miles later I’m doing good. My horsepower sucks but I’m reliable!!!

[@JustMoparJoe]

Oh man! Thank you for sharing! Please consider an Isky setup in the future. They started as a Mopar Cam company

[@elijah2078]

I have heard so many horror stories regarding hydraulic flat tappet cams I'm only installing hydraulic roller cams in my builds. The stress of the tedious break in process and getting the engine fired quickly to avoid wiping a lobe along with shopping around for a cam supplier/manufacturer that hasn't had issues with their cam grinds is now almost completely avoided.

[@JustMoparJoe]

You're right, it can be tough to find good quality parts these days.

[@aarvolaredonjunior1032]

Should I do same break-in on a 85 LA roller block using stock roller lifters with roller cam.Thank you in advance

[@JustMoparJoe]

It’s much easier there. Roller lifters simply need oiled. I would add some Lucas oil stabilizer to my oil and mix it well. You don’t need any moly lube for the cam and lobes. A good break in oil is recommended for the rings still.

[@aarvolaredonjunior1032]

Thank you! I have always liked Lucas HD Oil Stabilizer but had not thought to use in this way.I will do that.

[@jameshaner5568]

Nice video I did notice some of the push rods were going counterclockwis and some were going clockwise is there a reason for that

[@JustMoparJoe]

I would assume it’s ground in to the cam that way. I believe typically they want the cam lobes ground to pull the cam towards the back of the block.

[@MattsRageFitGarage]

The last two flat tappet cams I installed (different engines and vehicles) I used the master pro moly grease in a 1 pound can on the lifter faces and the lobes. Both of those were Comp cams, one XE262H and another 294S solid flat tappet. Both broke in and have survived fine and I used their 10W30 break in oil on both. I inspected the lifters I had received and both sets were ground correctly. Last week I bought a set of Crower cam saver lifters, those things looked like they were ground with an angle grinder, and one had a big circular groove in the lifter face you could feel. Only two of the 16 were ground what I would say is correct, most were totally flat or concave and I sent those back. Been looking where to buy the Hylift Johnson lifters for a SBF for my next engine build someday but not finding much where to buy them. I also have a third Comp cams XE250H that's been in service for almost 11 years now still working fine but I hate the valvetrain noise it makes when warm. Sounds like a solid flat tappet when it's not due to the fast ramp rate. That engine sounds great on the run stand.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks for sharing. I had a long conversation with the tat Johnson-hylift. He told me they don’t make any flat tappet lifters anymore. I was proposing buying from Isky, because they said they buy from them. He said only if they are aged lifters that were on the shelf. The combination of the company names ended many things 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@MattsRageFitGarage]

@@JustMoparJoe I guess I will just spend the money and do a hydraulic roller cam after reading this and my experience with the Crower lifters. It's just not worth it to go through all the work twice.

[@JustMoparJoe]

@@MattsRageFitGarage many guys do. I have never had an issue with Isky or bullet lifters and cams.

[@mikewilson8594]

Old school tried and true never fails!

[@mikasantos3774]

I only run isky Engle lunauti or Norris cams or nothing else when it comes to any solid lifter camshaft

[@zaneturner4478]

I use Hughes cams and driven lube and presoak my lifters along with doing a prelube

[@JustMoparJoe]

I’d like to use Hughes cams, but I’ve been on the phone for an hour and 15 minutes twice to ask a few questions. Had to move on, twice lol

[@zaneturner4478]

@JustMoparJoe yap I know what you're talking about with him. There is times when you get through and other times you wonder what in the world is going on with them.

[@PeckerwoodKustoms]

Always good to learn a few things from you Joe... Question...did you ever do a video on adjusting rockers from scratch? Im going to be adding some roller lifters and new cam soon and figured you would be the guy to ask... Great vid Sir and congrats on 16 non rounded lobes :)

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks Aaron! Yes sir I have. It’s been in the big block 508 build series

[@NathansMoparGarage]

360 sounds good.

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thanks brother!

[@RickHaile]

I soak, pump up my lifters with a pushrod, and prime the motor. I even sand the lifter face to remove some of the roughness, from the machining of the lifter face!

[@JustMoparJoe]

It’d be interesting to see what a profilometer reads on the lifter face between different manufacturers.

[@jesusavila7955]

And solid cams from comp's what you think? And you think that solid lifter for sbm need prelube under oil?

[@JustMoparJoe]

Solid flat tappet or hydraulic flat tappet from Comp are pretty failure prone. Maybe if you can get one that’s pre pandemic, it’d have better luck.

[@jesusavila7955]

@@JustMoparJoe actually is the case... It's from 2018 lifters and cam, for that reason is my question 😅😅

[@dinadaughtry8993]

Thanks for another great tip

[@JustMoparJoe]

Thank you for the support!

[@earlfreimuth5799]

Thank You for the tips and information 👍

[@JustMoparJoe]

Glad it was helpful!