WHAT CAM RUNS BEST FOR THE STREETS?

DO A HYDRAULIC ROLLER RUN THE BEST OR THE SOLID AND PERHAPS THE PROVEN SOLID/HYDRAULIC FLAT TAPPETS?
Obtw, I get numerous requests for technical advice and if interested, tex me @ 626 203 2712. Half hour to 1 hour+ rates are available. Most calls go over as posted and it is ok. US Pacific time zone.

[@ChicagoRob2]

Hydraulic roller, narrow LSA, moderate duration and lift. Mine lived for eight years with no problems.

[@peggyparrow2059]

The best thing about a roller cam is it can open valves quick and hold them near max lift longer, therefore filling the cylinder more effectively!

[@robertwest3093]

All true! I like the fact that if you want good street manners, you can pick one or two sizes smaller and still make the same or more power than a flat tappet cam!

[@jerrynaslund3368]

That is not 100% true. The contact point on the lifter against the cam is not the same as on a roller. You can not just look at the profile on the cam and think that the area on the cam profile is the same area as the area on the valve lift curve. The cam profile start to lift a flat tappet at the edge of the lifter and can make the valve to have higher ratio of the seat then a roller can. The roller lifter will get side load that limit how steep the ramp can be. You would think he know this things.

[@dennisrobinson8008]

If you seen Japanese and German tappets they have a huge diameter so they can support near roller profiles.

[@jmflournoy386]

FT opens quicker than Roller, It's a mechanical limitation

[@jmflournoy386]

agree @@jerrynaslund3368

[@chestrockwell8328]

Thanks for all the Cam tips Ben.

[@gmcnelly2468]

Thanks, always enjoy your experienced and proven perspective!

[@academaciated7466]

And on AMC, drill and tap the front cover to accept a small copper oil line/fitting and flatten the end a bit to spray the distributor gear 😉

[@terrygrover6440]

I really enjoy your videos Ben your a breath of fresh air you get right to the point and you know what you are talking about thank you ☺👍

[@baby-sharkgto4902]

I run hydraulic roller lifters on the street but a short travel hydraulic roller, which in my mind is awesome. I am so glad that I found your channel, I thoroughly enjoy your videos!

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks!

[@danonoveh8114]

Great videos Ben thank you, you are an inspiration to all of us👍🏻💯

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks sir!

[@jamesford2942]

The reason for the larger lobe on the roller cam is because you are pushing on the lifter wheel at an angle. The flat tappet lifter is lifted from the edge with the point of the lifter so it actually moves the valve off the seat faster in the low lift. Flat tappet lifters will live if you use the right oil.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Today's emission sensitive oils lack zinc and old style oils was actually thicker compared to today's very light and sometimes zero weight lends itself to damaging flat tappets. I eventually ran diesel oil for those who prefer a flat tappet because it is affordable. There are some out there in spite of this emission friendly oils opted for drilling the lifter face and it helps as well but I have seen many and most do not offer this option.

[@AmericanThunder]

@@benalamedaracing2765 I've had great luck with 15/40 Rotella diesel oil in my 332" stroker with solid cam.

[@gordocarbo]

@@benalamedaracing2765 In Ca I hear a lot of the good stuff is removed from Delo oils If I wanted to run a solid flat tappet but the ramp rates or seat pressure wasnt crazy do you think running a 1.3 break in rocker would do it? I hear the crown on todays lifters arent consistent causing many failures. Only FT cams I had go bad were the xe type..fast ramp cams. RUn many FT back in the 80s and 90s...Even Cheap PAW SSI regrinds, just used CHevy lifters which you cant get anymore.

[@nFlames2]

AS Ben said one can not run a to aggressive profile with flat tappet as one can with rollers lifters. Back in the 60's & 70's if one wanted to run an aggressive profile within reason they would run mushroom lifters, that was back before rollers.

[@rogerdavenport9618]

The oil I was recommended for my Doug Herbert engine and Herbert cam was Rotella T, it has the zinc in it still, and is well fitted for a big engine with a roller cam and rockers, by the way Chet Herbert invented the roller rockers to help prevent "binding" in the lifters.

[@CatapillarDiesel]

Best explanation I have heard to date... Awesome Thank you.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks as well!

[@MVPisME383]

For anybody that might see this you can but hotrod oils with zinc from Lucas,driven ams oil and more you can buy 4falt tappets today for the price of one roller use light weight springs to break it in or take inner spring out if running duals, speedway also makes 1.3rockers for break in i use factory rockers with no trouble yet just check your lifters to make sure they have a crown on the bottom and I use jegs break in oil

[@r3drummurd3r68]

I'm blessed to be able to hear your lecture you are a true professional . In today's words.....YOUR A REAL ONE! YOU ARE A OG OF THE TRADE! YOU'RE NO CAP AN KEEP IT 💯...

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thank you for your kind words.

[@johnkufeldt3564]

Your channel popped up and I was curious. I am so glad I watched, as I learned something and your explanation was so easy to understand. Liked and subbed and now I am looking forward to seeing all your content. Cheers and thanks from Calgary, Canada.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks John for supporting my channel!

[@perryford1014]

Great Stuff Ben 👍Hope All is Well

[@OldBeaterGarage]

Great informative video. Lots of good info in a short video. Oldsmobile V8s had the threaded galley plugs with the hole from the factory.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks for the info!

[@davehaas6830]

You sir are a blessing thank you

[@ewhoolery]

Thanks Ben love the info!

[@shedred1967]

Thank you for your time and info. I'm putting together our 2006 Ford Boss 302 going to 347 using the Comp Cams short travel hydraulic roller lifters for the first time. I'm going to have a solid roller cam set up on the side for that extra hot night scene action.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Sounds great and thanks for watching my channel!

[@michaelgiglio1571]

Thanks Ben, Strait to the point and good info mate. 💪

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks as well Michael.

[@ironmike742]

I'm a Chevy guy and about 20 years ago I ran Lunati, Comp, and Isky hydraulic flat tappet cams in my street strip 1977 Firebird that had 4.56 gears and a 3500 stall converter. The engine is a 350 4 bolt main bored .060 over with 11 to 1 dome pistons. Cranking compression was 240 psi. The Isky cam was the best. Duration @50 is 244 degrees on the intake and exhaust and .525 lift with a 108 lobe separation. That Isky cam was badass and outperformed the others that were pretty close in specs. 750 Barry Grant carburetor with a Wiend Team G intake. Dart Conquest 200 cc aluminum heads. It was my main driver lol. It consistently ran 6.90 and 7.00 in the 1/8 th mile. I ran it once in the qaurter mile and it went 11.70 because the transmission was about worn out. Mr. Bill that car was so much fun to drive and I miss it. There's nothing like a good strong naturally aspirated 500 ish horsepower street/strip car. Now everyone is running boost. My how the times have changed. I parked the car for a long time and now I have a 1987 Monte Carlo SS to put that motor in. I love your videos sir.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Sounds like you had one mean engine in that car!

[@alanmeyers3957]

Every time I read a post like this, I feel like I’m reading one’s life story. He’s just talking about cam shafts, right?

[@terrywillis5784]

Great information. Thank you for bringing it to us. Would you consider doing a video defining a-z how to select the best off the shelf camshaft Also a-z how to design a custom cam profile . Thanks for all of these great episodes.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Great suggestion!

[@edwardsjohnson5387]

Hello Ben! Great channels. You really know your craft.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks!

[@jauquearnoldi1059]

Old Air Cooled VW's were Solid Flat tappet. Worked in a Shop when young and did 100's of adjustments. Not hard at all and you develop a technique. Had a stroker 2017 VW engine with a 460 lift 308 duration cam. 10:1 Compression tight quench engine as well. Ran on 91 octane. Stayed with a C6 Vette up to 80ph from a launch. Fun Car! They always said to do adjustments at all oil changes. Had a filter in mine so like most cars at 3000 miles. I never saw much of a change. With a roller probably not have as much need to do adjustments because of their much lower friction. Ben is correct that valve train geometry has to be right. I always thought about a solid roller for a street car.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks!

[@maxxmasson4263]

Man this guy is very experienced good video and info

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks!

[@fivestar2227]

My go2 for a streetable sbc is 265` @ 50 / .630 solid roller with a composite distributor gear.

[@terrysibley9636]

That's great to hear. I'm putting together a solid roller sbf. For my ranger. I've known guys in the past with no adjustment problems either.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

As long as you have the basic adjustments done correctly everything falls into place...

[@genemartin6962]

great video. A LOT of guys have NO idea what you are talking about but There is a LOT of good technical numbers in here., That info on the moving the centerlines is something most guys never knew. It is not a "secret" but just not well known...Really good information

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks Gene!

[@joecurmaci5880]

Understanding what you're talking about it's like understanding The escoffier cookbook

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Yes sir.

[@JoelFJB]

Very informative! Thanks for the great video

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks Joe!

[@realazliving]

Thanks. Great video as always.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks again!

[@ryandaly9831]

I run Castrol 15W 40 diesel oil in my solid roller 347. Has lots of additives, I hear people run AW46 Hydraulic oil in C4 transmissions. Thanks again for another great video Ben.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

You must have heard that diesel oil will foam up with high rpms and that was not the case with one of my small blocks we ran, turning consistently 84-8600 shift rpms with no issues whatsoever!

[@ryandaly9831]

@@benalamedaracing2765 I have never ran into the oil foaming either, I don’t rev it past 7000rpm, always has great oil pressure.

[@HairBandDan]

Very informative video I have a 427 BBC with hydraulic roller that’s 99% street strip I just wanna make sure I can outrun the new mustangs and Camaros now days😂. Great Video

[@Axeman428]

You can’t always be sure. Some of these new Camaros and mustangs are sporting 1000 wheel hp and more.

[@user-id9ft8qv4x]

Thanks for video!

[@bradfischer1059]

Keep up the good work

[@retimixshotcrete5870]

Awesome best explanation ever , from nz

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks for supporting my channel! I need more viewers from New Zealand and of course Australia! lol

[@roamy37748]

Good information thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks as well Roam.

[@bobcuomo5122]

Thank you Mr Alameda !

[@richardsmith-qy6vl]

I love your videos and all the tips and tricks you share thanks for the video Rick 427

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks for watching!

[@jamest.5001]

On the galley plugs you can drill and tap the plug to fit a carburator jet, lock tight it in, and grind it off if needed, it only needs about a .020" hole roughly,

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Why even do that? Just place a screw in galley plug with a small hole and that is it that will be needed! Nothing fancy or over engineering stuff.

[@CarsFoodWeed]

I'm running the summit f303+ the street manners are pretty good

[@benalamedaracing2765]

An F cam is a pretty stout piece compared to the E and B cams from Ford Motorsports.

[@whiskeylima6310]

Another great video, much thanks for sharing your knowledge. I’d like to try a street solid roller with a not so aggressive ramp profile but concerned about valve spring wear. I heard an old wives tale the motor needs to rotated occasionally or pressure taken off the rockers to reduce valve spring wear just sitting static.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I am not a metallurgist but I sincerely feel any spring compressed to near maximum for a long time has to lose some pressures as opposed to something at free height without much tension applied to it! That is a lot of pressure exerted for a very long time and somethings got to give specially like springs we run has 800-950# of spring pressures so there is no way it can hold that indefinitely without costs!

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I agree heat and rpms are the main killers.

[@flinch622]

Its a multi-faceted choice. I like solids - less mass for springs to manage. But for each [roller or flat tappet], street use puts an eye on rate of change [as in lift per degree of rotation] that is about more than area under the curve. There's a host of hyd/roller specs to like, but are hard to find simiilar grinds in in solid roller - I don't like going over 0.550 lift on a street motor generally speaking, and that's personal prejudice of leaning towards lighter spring pressures. I like Godbolds recent turn towards something I think makes sense: asymmetrical lobes purposed to be gentler in putting valves back on the seat. Not a new idea as much as one in need of revisiting with an eye on refining newer roller tech - back in the day, Detroit was putting out flat tappet cams with roughly 30 degrees [0.006"-0.050"]. I suppose a good test for flat or roller is this: do you want much more than 0.25xdiameter lift? For a 2.02" valve that's 0.505" lift. After that, valve job fades into the background, and bowl work takes center stage . Getting bowls ported adds a chunk to head costs beyond a good valve job. Oils: we are on our own, therefore aftermarket needs to step up. The majority of formulations happen when car engineers roll up with a spec list, and where millions of units are going to be made, you bet oil companies make adjustments - I don't think its ever been any different. The public gets some info, but some is likely locked down inside an NDA as oil formulation often parallels engine development. In 1969, chevy put out 2.06M cars if I recall. That's clout. Zinc isn't gone, its just under 800ppm in newer oils, but know this: API spec leads to ASTM test numbers, also known as Another Stupid Test Method. The so called IVA & IVB tests [astm D6891 and D8350] call for an overhead cam type engine - the big guys are NOT testing/no longer use a procedure for flat tappet service ubiquitous to muscle cars. It can be done of course, but this is mechanical testing outside the realm of standard oil analysis service [that is primarily chemistry] a number of private companies offer. The number one job of oil being wear protection, challenge yourself to find a number or range put out by ANY oil maker for any of their offerings: is it good through 78,000 psi, 102,000 psi or what? Can we get at least a 5,000 psi range of quality assurance? Somebody needs to test, and publish, with an open and regular commitment because formulations change all the time. Call the results "awards", because... lawyers can screw anything up. Bronze=74k-82k, Silver=83k-91k, Gold=92k-100k, Platinum=101k-109k, and diamond=110k+ Try some hypothetical numbers, knowing a convex shape vs a plane produces a tangent. Say the contact patch [if oil were to fail] amounts to 0.080" square. That comes out to 0.0064 square inches. So... valve spring at max lift of 320 pounds force on a 1.5 rocker and the cam is seeing roughly 480 pounds force, unadjusted for geometry/flex/etc. Cam vs lifter is seeing near 75,000 psi. Oil is the most complex part of an engine.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Asymmetrical lobes like those in the 240-280Z inline 6 cylinders can be a problem when it is regrounded in basic cam profiles. What I had to deal with was installing a much taller valve tip on the assembly to get the geometry correct and decrease the noise! I will be firing it up soon and I was successful once and here comes another competition engine that needed more valve lift than what the design was capable off...Oils with Zinc is the lifeblood of any engine and I see many diesels today have issues with modern oils so we are all looking for the best there is and the one's that know while building racing diesels are very quiet.

[@yolocah]

Only you talk about drilling the tiny hole behind the distributor in the freeze plug. This is why I watch and rewatch your videos.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

There will be more coming up.

[@possiblycrazy442]

More great information to consider! Like a Ford, my Buick 350 also has a distributor in front. I've heard of the hole in the galley plug trick, but hadn't considered changing the distributor gear for the new cam. Though I'm on a budget, I would feel a lot better using a roller cam since I've lost two camshafts in 10 years and have had lifters not spinning. But I do worry about possible lifter bore breakage with the more dramatic ramp of a roller cam lobe. Information is sparse on roller Buicks in the wild, and the few reading sources I find claim that I need to reinforce the lifter bores. Hopefully it's just a "full race" type of issue and less of a problem for a stout street engine. Perhaps I can get information from the Pontiac crowd, since their lifter bores look as thin as mine. Glad to have found your channel!

[@benalamedaracing2765]

There are cam lobe profiles out there that are gentler and easier on the block and valvetrain. That might be one thing to consider in your build and talk to the cam engineers.

[@unpopularopinion3158]

Check the lifter crowns prior to install and it will save you a lot of problems.

[@ChrisLawson-nr2hu]

You’re the best !!

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

An engine builder once pointed out that the rollers have much less advantage than many regular folks think, mostly friction and valve speed. Saying the flat tappet cam is sharper and the lifter base is flatter, while the roller cam is flatter and the lifter roller is sharper? So basically the difference is much more in the profiles that can be made using a roller design with less friction. The science is way over my head, so I try to do what I'm told by the experts :).

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks for your input and today with lifts very close to an inch or more it is becomig apparent it is only a roller type than can survive the abuse.

[@noahdunaway]

I run a solid roller cam in my 1978 Chevy BIG10 big block truck and pull a 26 ft enclosed race trailer. Also I run the Comp Cams composite distributor gear.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Hqw much cam do you run in your big block?

[@noahdunaway]

@@benalamedaracing2765 it’s a Comp Cams 232* in 242* ex with .622” lift. I put a small cam in it because I pull a 26’ enclosed race car trailer. It’s a 557 ci, Dart block with Edelbrock performer marine heads with enconel ext valves, Edelbrock performer rpm air gap dual plane with 850 Holley.

[@fixitdaddy247]

Thanks Benny!

[@golgothapro]

I clicked on this one when I saw the high rev springs in the thumbnail. I Iearned about the lack of zinc the hard way. After properly breaking in my second flat tappet and losing it later I didn't GAF why I just went to a hydraulic roller. Later after a couple of collapses and getting bad ones new, I kissed off the hydraulics and have been happy with my Howards billet solid roller 110183-10 with 1.6 rockers and iron eagles with 237/245 @.050 with .592 topping my 1st gen .060 over with flat tops ever since. It's only a couple of degrees each more than the hydraulic, yet the vacuum and throttle response are both better with no worry of collapse. The only snag was they recommended Rev springs and though I installed them, it jacked my over-all temp a good 20 degrees. I had to put a hole though the bumper of the 87' Camaro I got it in to get air to the oil cooler mounted behind it to compensate. Real drag to do too man. I'm using a composite gear on the distributor with good results though, but part of that is even though I have a Melling sharktooth with a washer to jack it, I have wrist pin oilers (including one for the galley plug behind the chain) so warmed up I'm at only about 10psi on the oil pressure. Smokey said 7 psi a grand so going beyond that is just more wear and tear if you ask me. I'm running MPI on a single-plane World with an old non-progressive Holley Projection without the TBI injector pod. Got a 72v 250 amp Mars me-0913 bldc motor with a 8mm blower-belt driving a Paxton Novi 2000 @ about 1:3 giving me 5 psi on demand that's gone by each red-line, (which is OK since I'm shifting then anyway). I presently do haul around about 200lbs of AGM plus the100 lb unit itself; but lighter EV batteries are becomming more plentiful. Sure like the solid roller though.

[@wizerulz]

I built the very first 427 Windsor kit Coast High Performance sold, I had a lot of Rod to cam clearance issues that I helped make them aware of but as a result I wound up running a Comp Flat Tappet because a roller wouldn’t clear the rod bolt ‘shoulders’ on the big end of the rod. Even with the little ‘broomstick’ 232/237 @ .050 hydraulic the motor makes plenty of power for my 2400 pound Cobra Replica. I also had a set of the original Trick Flow 170’s that were fully ported to 185-190 cc and flowed as well at .400 lift than the stock TF’s did at .550. They now flow like the 11R heads out of the box and also ported the Motorsports Victor Jr so the motor feels like a big block FE. The 427W is a really nice engine combo with fantastic wall to wall torque. I’m really enjoying this site I’m learning a lot from your insight into the how’s and why’s!

[@dennisrobinson8008]

Ported TFS 170 were serious equipment.

[@dennisrobinson8008]

What power you make? Like 600hp?

[@wizerulz]

No it only makes 537 @ 5500 and 560 torque with over 500 from 2700 through 5600, I built it to be a mega torque cruiser and since it only weighs 2400 pounds it’s not something I would really make 600 plus. If I were going to do another one with a hydraulic roller with more lift and make another easy 40-50 but the rods the motor has won’t clear I’d have to replace them with steel rods. It’s all I need plus it’s a 10.2:1 motor that can run in the heat of traffic on the hottest summer day without issue. A 66 427FE with a solid cam ( very few were medium riser side oilers were made for true street use, most were 428 PI motors that made 400 at best) It’s plenty, a 3000 pound fox body would need about 650 Hp to have the same power to weight as my cobra.

[@wizerulz]

@@dennisrobinson8008yeah the 170’s are really about comparable to an AFR 185 because the intake valve centerline to the head port flange is about 1/2 shorter, plus they are hogged out to slightly larger than the 11R. This was before all the other heads came out but they do work really well for what they are.

[@dennisrobinson8008]

I remember. The twisted valves and altered valve angles gave notable advantage to unlined valve heads at the time. And the combustion chamber shape. Those heads made a slight bit more torque and power than very good equipment. Ported they get to a tad over 300cfm by .500" and high numbers at .300 and. 400". They can make some real power.

[@crawford323]

Outstanding!

[@kevinwestmoreland2099]

For a sbc, drill, and tap the front oil galleries for screw in plugs. Drill a .040 hole in the top plug behind the cam gear. The pressurized oil will lubricate the timing chain and cam gear.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Yes that is a good tip and do it as well for the sbf. Doing a lot of idling will surely help the chain.

[@evelynorozco8367]

Good video, thanks for sharing such good information. Is it possible to use a hydraulic roller camshaft with solid roller lifters?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Seen it done but I prefer to use the lifter matching up to the type of camshafts. Perhaps at lower or mid rpms it is ok but we run competition engines and they must be correct for the application and no band aids or substitutions.

[@Anthony-nw5zv]

Great video

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks!

[@tonyschiffiler4816]

My 259 Studebaker still runs with a solid flat tappet cam , I do use a grade 50 oil with a Zinc extra additive , no problems yet, spring pressure is 100 lbs. On the seat.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Yes I always used diesel oil in the ever decreasing number of zinc in modern oils which helps them survive for a long time!

[@crawford323]

I would buy every one of your books if you would pin them. They would be cherished in the Crawford household.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks sir and appreciate your support!

[@petercpeterson]

Great stuff. There is nothing wrong with a good hydraulic setup. The latest Ford Performance 302H lifter is pretty damn good at high RPM. I'm using that w/ an Anderson N-41 and it can make a ton of power up top and still be dialed in for the street. I like the trick of getting some extra oiling on the distributor gear.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Peter, you and I are Anderson fans that is for sure! Thanks for your support and comment. :)

[@gordocarbo]

@@benalamedaracing2765 Remember those and when alphabet cams came out . 2nd guy I know of in the sfv to get that Ford Test pipe and FLow 40s back in the day. Man I thought it was mean lol (86 5.0)

[@dennisrobinson8008]

​@@gordocarboAlphabets weren't hard to beat. My f303 226@.05" and .510" lift 114 lsa was beat soundly by a ultradyne 223 which was 223@.05" 112 lsa and .565" lift. The advertised duration was less than the f cam. Car made 20 more rwhp and 12 more rwtq with the ultradyne.

[@gordocarbo]

@@dennisrobinson8008 Harold Brookshire was a genius and designed a lot of cams for them...and later Lunati. The alpha cams from ford...probably made them with a gentler ramp for longevity and ease of tuning .

[@dennisrobinson8008]

Probably for 100k + miles longevity. It was not hard to beat the alphabet cams with more modern and agressive lobes from ultradyne, comp cams, cam motion, etc. The alphabet cams had extremely gentle lobes. However each one could pass the factory ecu and run without tuning it. @@gordocarbo

[@tomcrosby6332]

good video. Thanks!

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks Tom!

[@fixitdaddy247]

Benny, do you recommend using a rev kit for the HR cam. Soon I’ll be switching to an HR cam on my Chevy three fisty (350). Thanks again for the great videos.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I do not see any reason why you would need them except if it is radical enough that the manufacturer advises to do so. I feel a healthy valve springs (dual) should do the trick!

[@LoneWrencher]

great info,good site to subscribe to

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks Brian!

[@Comet-hn3gm]

Been there done all that. Listen DYI at home

[@Eternity_of_Darkness]

You know whats a lil fucked up? Me over here still doing the internal argument of which sounds better high lobe or low lobe. Lol

[@benalamedaracing2765]

We all struggle with these disease called horsepower! lol

[@ThePaulv12]

Recently I used dedicated diesel oil in my gas car since there was a good deal on a drum of it and I needed some diesel oil anyhow. Car didn't like it. It's an old 2003 OHC V6 and yep it burned it. It usually uses 1.5 pints between oil changes which are every 15,000miles (which I knock over in about 10 weeks) - always has. I live in a rural area so knocking over the miles like this is normal, the hours behind the wheel is only about the same as city commuting anyhow. This time it used the same amount but in half the time or 5 weeks, so when I put the recommended oil back in I was keeping a close eye on consumption - all is back to normal. Dual purpose diesel/gas oil of the correct grade is perfectly fine, dedicated diesel in gas engines might be fine for you but my old reliable wasn't happy, the poor 'ole thing.

[@patrickm.8425]

I'm running Isky flat tappet cams and lifters, not having any problems. Use std. clearances and use a high volume oil pump along with a good high quality 5W30 modern synthetic oil. I use 5W30 Amsoil Signature Series, API SP. Quaker State Full Synthetic 5W30, API SP is a top shelf oil as well.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

For the longest of time starting in the early 80's I started using AMSOIL and many at the time called them snake oil! I am aware of syn oils because it is all we use on turbine engines no mineral oil can ever equal.

[@doctorwhodj]

A lot of us guys just want to run a flat tappet on an old school sbc. I might have to run diesel oil from Arizona then.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I have run Delo 400 specifically for flat tappet engines and seen no negative issues even with high rpms in the 8K region.

[@NightWrencher]

The only reason I went hyd flat tappet is because I found an older NOS lunati cam and lifter kit for less than $100 that matched my cyl head 😅

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Any way to save money is a winner for all of us on a budget!

[@johnszwarc1985]

i aggree with what you say, i built his mid engine , C10 , 454 , street rod , here in Utah, click on the little round picture on the left there and check it out, might have to click it 2 or 3 times to get the video to play. i run solid roller lifters with .008 valve lash , and get great results as a street cruiser, great valve train sound consistancy , and reliability. amazingly quiet valve train. i have proven some of your ideas on engine tunning and set up myself over the years, i have also raced ALCOHOL Dragsters for years , the horse power game is very familiar to me , would love to sit down with you sometime and compare notes about building and tunning engine strategy used over the last 40 years .

[@johnszwarc1985]

and also, i to also do not have to adjust my valves often , they hold, they stay.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

That thing looks awesome and would love to bench race with you one of these days! Keep in touch.

[@autonomous_collective]

Use Driven Racing Oil GP-1 Synthetic Blend Motor Oil 20w-50. It has Zinc... Best is David Vizard's Extreme Oil though. Or you can use the extreme oil addative in your favorite oil also.

[@autonomous_collective]

Flat tappet roller for me always.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks for the tips!

[@darrellsomers5427]

Thick oil with the Zink is the way to go ,top fuel cars run strait 50or 60 weight warm it up good before you run it hard ,valvoline

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I run Valvoline for my new start builds and no doubt they are good oils!

[@jmflournoy386]

Roller gives less action off the seat unless you have an inverse flank on lobe using a very small grinding wheel, you have to make up the action up the lift without too much side loading. For a HFT in an old block do not just bush the lifter but bore them out for .904 AMC/ Magnum lifters. Not only bigger wheel but you can run a bigger base circle with an aftermarket block or boring the cam tunnel steel billet roller core only enjoying going through your vids

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Good advice there and it all works good except on legacy SBC and running big lobes with strokers will definitely smack the rods to the camshaft.

[@jmflournoy386]

Most conflict I've seen was on 1962's 452 327 chevy with 4 1/8 bore and 4 1/4 stroke with stock other GM brand 2" CRANKPIN 6 in RODS.. HAD to narrow the lobes and modify the lifters "400 degree" cam with ultra small basecircle@@benalamedaracing2765

[@davidvonanderseck8649]

Good info here thanks

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Glad it was helpful!

[@davidvonanderseck8649]

Ya I have a 468 bbc in my Camaro and put the comp big mother thumper in it and realized it's really to much for the street. You have to rev it to much going light to light burning to much fuel. I'm thinking of going one came down to the big thumper but i wasn't sure. I'm running high compression dome pistons and afr heads and Vjr intake. Long tube headers, msd and the Fitec. The fitec has had a hard time with the cam as I had to readjust the iac a million times. Now there telling me possibly I have an injector stuck. So I'm going back to carb and ordered a 950 atm carb Also I already have a lifter tic.

[@darrellsomers5427]

Edelbrock RPM cam ,the comp cams with a 108 center lobe suck in my oppoin edelbrock pat mussi rolling thunder cams are 112 lobe separation

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Like I stated above a lot of these high port aftermarket heads dictate a very different grinds and I agree with you on your observation. Sometimes a 112 advance 2* will also haul big bananas lol.

[@bps.1]

i like your video its good info , how ever i a question , i have a stroker 331 ford sb i have a hyd roller in it now i want to change over to a solid roller and i want to run this on the street what do u reecommend for a solid roller ,

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I have used a custom grind solid roller from Isky that I used in the video made 589hp with 11.5 compression ratio. .640 lift is workable for street use and the lash settles and do not need periodic adjustments not like the solid cams from the old days. I have to see if I still have one more grind on my shelf somewhere in this garage.

[@ronsmith7739]

For a street car, use roller lifters only and on the camshaft, at .006 start lift use 40 degrees max lobe on valve overlap. Flat tappets is a waste of time.

[@efernandez8499]

That explains why we keep those freeze plugs for the Fords everytime I do a teardown.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thanks for supporting my channel!

[@stevencardoza1548]

very nice

[@b.snoodleman5864]

Oil issues aside, like he said flat tappets cant match the open and close ramps and that means everything, more power better mileage, better everything.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Yes sir.

[@jamesmedina2062]

Hey Ben as far as the distributor gear on my 351C hydraulic roller cam, I have standard pump and used a bronze gear on Mallory distributor but some teeth sheared off and the cam guy said to use a steel or iron gear which I did and so far so good but the engine is together, so there is nothing I can do now right? That gear gets little oil huh? Regarding oils my favorite with a wide index of 0w40 is LiquiMoly Synthoil. It tests very good and I have tested in my kitchen(don't ask how). I think it uses esters and not sure what else but on scar tests the metal pin sees almost zero wear with temperature and pressure. This is my goto oil for a heavier oil that makes your engine quieter, adheres to metal parts, etc

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I used a steel gear and of course whatever oils you use and no problems? I would not change a thing... Whatever works for you I would stick to it.

[@doubledave7451]

In recent years there's been an epidemic or hydraulic flat tappet lifters failing real early. I have a similar experienced engine builder mentor such as Ben and he will not use hydraulic flat tappets anymore whereas in years past, that was all he used. Part quality in general has suffered with all the major companies moving their manufacturing overseas.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Thin or very thin oils with zero zinc and yes overseas flat tappets of questionable quality is all over the place!

[@frankchapa4165]

I run a .650 lift solid roller in my 357w, it's fun on the street especially with a 5speed

[@benalamedaracing2765]

That should be an awesome combination!

[@frankchapa4165]

@@benalamedaracing2765 yes sir its fun to drive and beat on it!! 12:1 pump gas with a little bit of octane additive makes it very snappy

[@heshtesh]

After running my 399 sbc for 4000 miles this past summer with a BBC cam journal solid roller 260/266@.50 with 679/668 it required 0 adjustment with Brodix C-Series heads with offset lifters. It's 10.7 to 1 on 91 octane pump gas.

[@dennisrobinson8008]

What heads and flow?

[@dennisrobinson8008]

Excellent info.

[@mikkokuorttinen3113]

HI! Thank you video and the advices! I've got nearly couple of hundreds of miles drives driven 327 chevy which has got a comp cams 270 magnum hydraulic flat tapped and hi-vol oil pump. You were mentioning about the diesel oil. Could you tell me which type of oil and or additives should I be using in it to try to keep the cam a live?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I run Delo 400 or anything similar that is sold out there. I do not add anymore after I do these and tried it even on racing engines turning 8K and no lubrication issues.

[@mikkokuorttinen3113]

Thank you kindly for your answer! @@benalamedaracing2765

[@claytonstoolbox]

Great video. What is the max lift you can go with a spider-dog bone type lifter retainer? I have a 302 stoker lift is .571 and .587... Thnx

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I would run a link bar lifters at that level.

[@CLEEPER1]

Mr Ben , you touched on lifters and my brother has a 408 windsor with a hydraulic roller ,205 afr heads and the cam is 250/260 .638/.638 cam. He has Howard's hydraulic roller link bar lifters but wanted a short travel lifter but couldn't find any when he installed the cam so he got the Howard's. They are loud like a solid, he is having to freshen up the engine and while it's apart wants to get short travel lifters. What do you recommend and will it help for rpm to 7200?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Adjust the lifters 1/8th from zero lash to it does not pump up @ high rpms. This way going 1/2 to more turns from zero pushes the pushrod too deep into the lifters creating pump up lifting @ high rpms specially with a lot of oil pressures.

[@javymcdeez3958]

AMSOIL 10W40 AMO product code, been available since 1972 why mess with anything less? I have broke in cams with that blend with 150 on the seat and 375 on the nose and at idle during 1st start on a used cam with new lifters. Solid Crane cam F-238 SBF that engine lasted ten years and i NEVER changed the oil 50,000 miles in a 351 Windsor that made 360 hp to the wheels in 2001 oh and to add I set the lash and when I eventually went to a solid roller around 5 years later the lash did not even change after 25,000 miles I learned alot but knew it could be done

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I started using Amsoil since 1981 and have been very happy with their stuff. I also did not change oil on my 280Z and just change filter and top it off and the oil color comes back to like new. Being an aircraft guy I knew a true synthetic like Amsoil will outlast the engine because it can take more rpms that any automotive engine can dish out! Thanks for supporting my channel.

[@panthermadness4232]

In regards to the B and E cams with 1.7 rockers, What are your thoughts that if a cylinder head used such as stock E7 H.O. heads, that has very little air flow beyond .450" lift, Wouldn't needing a much higher spring rate to gain that 5 to 6 CFM more at .500" + lift not be worth it?, considering the added power needed to compress a higher spring rate takes more parasitic power to compress.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Panther, you have to look at the dynamics many miss and the fact the higher spring pressures takes more to compress is correct! However, there is another lifter that is descending to close and that will help negate the added pressures by these "going up the ramp" while the "other is going down the ramp" helping turn the cam. Helping open the valves opposite that is with the other. Therefore it is indeed a give and take process. On the added ratio you are not really looking at the 5-6 cfm @ peak but the added open window added by an increased rocker arm ratio that is very important, it sees it twice going up and going down as opposed to peak flow once only at max lift...

[@zAvAvAz]

Yeah, the zinc is more than just the zinc, the entire formula in the oil was superior and was a big commercial and nascar cash crop, once whomever took out the detergents, and not just zinc and all of the other good ingredients with zinc, you can find zinc additive formulas with those ingredients, however they may not be in the same formulated amounts and balances for highly functioning oils when it comes to solid flat and hydraulic flat tappet camshafts. Roller cams hydraulic or solid mechanical roller and or other engineered materials are the only way to go.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Agree sir.

[@culbycars]

Im putting together another cleveland for my cobra its going to be 12:5:1 static with a set of 3v CHI heads on it whats a good hydraulic roller for that on the street as im running a hydraulic flat tappet now but i did cut a lobe down on my first go round using mobil oil i switched to shella Rotella and its been fine so far with new cam but i want to get away from flat tappets. The car is 2,350lbs with 411 gears

[@benalamedaracing2765]

It is best to call ISKY cams and ask for Rod @ tech and just mention my name. You can go a little big because that car is light and use short travel hydraulic lifters should help a bunch!

[@hectormartinez129]

Ben when are you going to do a giveaway and do you sell merch

[@wkjeeping9053]

If you run flat tappet use lucas hot rod oil, or amsiol, and there is a generic race oil I don't remember the name. The zinc additive won't work cuz it don't blend well with now a days oils. Royal purple has a race oil but only has 1600 ppm zince. Lucas oil has 2200 ppm in zinc. Amsoil has 2000 ppm In zinc. You want at least 2000 ppm zinc in the oil for the tappet to survive. Lucas oil is 50 dollars for 5 quarts. Amsoil is about 70 for 5 quartz. This info is of 2024 January

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I have been using AMSOIL since the mid 80's and some people were calling it snake oil! lol Nowadays just about anyone serious about oils in their engines has to have synthetics. Far cry from when we started...

[@blakenorman4822]

Thanks for the info, im putting my first engine together, got a 72 360 my machinist said he'll get me to 9to1 compression, got a hydraulic roller cam on the way with the appropriate rocker and springs, can you give me any tips for when i get my engine put together and itll probably take me a month or 2 of weekends to swap into where my 225 was, can i put my cam in and heads on and not have it run for a month or two without the internals rusting on me, is that acceptable? should i lube it somehow to help it while its sitting, while im piecing it together before i fire it up, thanks

[@benalamedaracing2765]

When the engine is assembled and primed you can store it wrap in a plastic bag will do just fine. Then pre lube or pre oil again before you fire it up.

[@jimkillen1065]

I not a expert from my experience I prefer a solid roller ..that was a long time ago . I ran 15 50 oil for Diesel . I like to be able to change the lash a bit on my Isky cam to tune the engine to do what I wanted .

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I also ran diesel oil for my street cars specially California oils are junk!

[@jimkillen1065]

Sir I really appreciate your videos ..I even rewatch them as I may have missed something....there is something to be said about experience lol

[@deplorablecovfefe9489]

Best Cam? The factory Cam. Thats why they use it. They've spent a long time figuring out what works best under all conditions.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Yes but factory spec falls far short when you are stepping it up! Today emissions are their number one priority.

[@sweetness34km]

I buy zinc additive from racing shop by case. I run royal purple zero problems

[@benalamedaracing2765]

If it works for you good and keep doing it because experience tells you it is good!

[@sweetness34km]

@@benalamedaracing2765 i was running brad Penn but it was sold heard it wasn't as good. My engine was rebuilt in 2011. All Teflon coated bearings used high zinc gm break in oils. Before i ran mobile 1 after 1700 miles and pulled it apart looked new. Put moldex crank cam it a hydraulic flat tappet. He also put diamond liquid coated lifters. After break in hardening cam put brad Penn in with extra zinc. 9 qt pan Late 90s mobile 1 20 50 and 15 40 were better from what my builder says it like now. What is best conventional oil and synthetic in your opinion? Ty for responding. Do Yall build Chevy engine's? My guy is a diesel mechanic whom has a full machine shop in his very large home garage. He does mostly street stock circle track but was taught by the legendary Larry Spray from Illinois whom built a chey 4 bolt main 4 cylinder by cutting front 2 and back 2 cylinders off made everything else himself 13:1 on alcohol in a midget at least 375 400hp+ out of a v4 nothing have ever seen sounded like it just wicked fast could rev 8500 easy still pulling hard. Very cool. Ty for any advice. Also what is best ways to add vacuum i heard steel canisters also silent electric pump with canister storage i wanted to put cam back that was in it he changed it for hp improvements. It's a 4 speed so no idle worries it's at 1150 sounds like 700 rpms. Ty. Contact information please looking to build a nasty 377 or something for next car. 67 Chevelle Love your outstanding information and knowledge. Please any advice on oils and vacuum would be greatly appreciated. Ty merry Christmas

[@regdor8187]

Convex !!!

[@joe-hp4nk]

Nascar use to run mushroom flat tappet lifters and you use to get them from your chevy dealer. Can you still get them?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Best to call ISKY or Comp Cams and they will probably have them in stock!

[@WPP_Garage]

What brand of link bar hydraulic roller lifters do you recommend for a HR retrofit setup in an older non roller block SBF?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I like those Howards Cam lifters with the link bars. I wonder if they are still available and I have always used them.

[@tyronewashington2933]

What about a Rev kit for SBC.

[@benalamedaracing2765]

So far with the springs and rockers we stopped using them.

[@claytonstoolbox]

Howdy Ben, what method do you use to set hydraulic roller lifters in a performance application?

[@darrellsomers5427]

Adjust it till it doesn't make any noise and go a half a turn more for the most RPM

[@benalamedaracing2765]

I do 1/8 to 1/16 from zero lash and it has work good but will sometimes be somewhat noisy on cold starts. Going deeper risks the chance of lifter pump up at high rpms specially with high oil pressure from a high volume oil pump or tight clearances on the bottom end.

[@dennisrobinson8008]

So a car 350 cubic inches. Has a head that flows 210cfm@.4" and 260cfm@.5" lift. They have the equivalent to an rpm airgap and 750 holley double pumper. Camshaft #1 220@.05" .425" lift, 112 lsa. Camshaft #2 220@.05", .575" lift, 112 lsa. How much more power does Camshaft #2 make? I know if I swap a 210cfm set of heads in a similar combo for a set that do 260cfm at the same lift that a lot of power will be made. Perhaps 40hp,50hp or even 60hp additional. So how much more does cam #2 make lifting out to where the head makes 50 more cfm?

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Everytime you lift the valve more without clearance issues with the piston should help! Specially if the heads still flow more with the higher lift numbers.

[@dennisrobinson8008]

I know you have been around for a long time. So you would know of some of the ford 302 stuff. So you are probably familiar with a stock block 302 a cobra intake, stock cam, gt40 heads and exhaust. Or if they are carbed a performer rpm2 and a 650 dp. So you know of the situation where they replace the gt40 iron unported heads with an out of the box TFS170 and it picks up power and torque almost everywhere? The power increase is 30HP+, even with the stock cam. gt40 tfs170 .200" 107 141 .300" 157 205 .400" 183 233 .500" 192 251 I'm looking at a dyno result of similar showing a 45rwhp gain in favor of the TFS. @@benalamedaracing2765

[@gloriamaletta8667]

I've been told that for a daily driver you'll want a cam with 224 or under duration and for a weekend street strip car 240 or under duration for most small block V8s Ford Chevy Dodge including Chevy LS-LT engines and late model Hemi and stroker or engines with longer stroke crankshafts are more forgiving for street performance with larger camshafts and a camshaft with 224 duration will require at least a 2400-2500rpm stall converter and a camshaft with mid 230s-240 duration will require at least a 3500rpm+ stall converter with 3.42-4.10 gearing otherwise you'll have no throttle response and a sluggish engine below 3000rpm and these late model automatic transmissions 6-8-10 speeds have lower transmission ratios 1st through 4th gear allowing you to not need lower gears my 2011 Camaro SS has a LS3 GM performance hot cam 219/228 duration with a 4200rpm stall converter with a 6L80e transmission and stock 3.27 gears I'm extremely happy with this setup very streetable wicked throttle response at any speed and off the line acceleration and can cruise 80mph on the highway at 2100-2200rpm to me the best of both worlds it runs on E85 it has a ever so slight chop at idle that is barely noticeable compared to stock the only down point with this setup is the car doesn't accelerate great 1st-4th gear below 2500rpm at part throttle but at 2500rpm it can roll with traffic and the converter goes into lockup at cruising speed 45mph in 5th gear making it very close to stock and at 3000rpm it pulls pretty hard at part throttle l know l said a LS3 engine with a GM hot cam but it's actually a GM performance LS3 495 horsepower crate engine that comes with the GM hot camshaft this engine makes pretty good torque from 2500-6200rpm and pulls very strong and quickly to the 6600rpm redline and according to the computer dash display it's getting 13.8 miles per gallon city stop and go and 17 miles per gallon highway driving it conservatively or easy it does have CNC ported LS3 heads that probably make it slightly moe efficient back a few months ago l drove to a clearwater drag strip and made 3 passes with it the best was 7.40s at 94mph 1.70 60 foot time with some wheel spin car weighs 3920 with me in it with 20 pounds of air pressure in the 305/45r17 Mickey Thompson drag radials with more testing and experimenting with tire pressures and launch techniques car could probably go 7.2s at 95-96mph car has air conditioning and full interior and is naturally aspirated not to bad for a mild camshaft car that isn't a max effort setup but car has 16,000 dollars in upgrades with the cost of the car used 15,000 l have 31,000 into it so this shit isn't cheap at least for a blue collar working stiff

[@benalamedaracing2765]

Sounds like you got yourself a street beast there! What is your axle ratio?

[@gloriamaletta8667]

@@benalamedaracing2765 stock 3.27 but you have to remember the 6L80e transmission has a very low 4.03 transmission 1st gear making it equal to a 4.30 1st gear in a turbo 350 transmission the stock gearing works extremely well with the Circle D 4200rpm stall converter when l ordered it they asked engine size 6.2 /376 camshaft duration intake exhaust 219/228 weight of car with driver 3920 and rear gearing being used 3.27 so the converter was built to certain specs for my certain application the throttle response is wicked from a dead stop to 130mph very very snappy had it tuned on a dyno 430 rear wheel horsepower and 410 foot pounds of torque on E85 it pulls quickly to the 6600rpm redline and is very eager to Rev even at part throttle very snappy and cruises close to stock once the converter locks up in 5th and 6th gear it lays down nicely at part throttle or street driving it shifts into 2nd gear at 9-10 mph street driving or part throttle anything lower like 3.73 or 3.91 gears would shift into 2nd gear street driving at 4-5 mph l just don't see any gain for doing so right now with the 3.27 gear it does 48mph at redline in 1st gear anything lower like 3.73 or 3.91 would have it shifting into 2nd at redline under 40mph probably closer to 35mph maybe even less with 3.91s don't see how that would accelerate the car faster the only advantages l could see using 3.73-4.10 gears with the 6L80e transmission is if you had a serious max effort high strung engine that can turn 7500-8000rpm then l could see some benefits from doing so or maybe you may need 3.73-4.10 gearing with a 6L80e transmission if your vehicle is 5500-7000 pounds l could see benefits