Ok, if i have a stock hydrualic(or however it's spelt) cam, can i install roller lifters on it, and it all be ok? this is for a chevy. DONT SHOOT Me, but i'd rather ask you guys on here, instead of a chevy forum elsewhere. IT's still a cam. THEY ALL HAVE THEM>

 

There is no real point to doing that there chevy boy but if you want to waist your money knock yourself out.

 

No dont install roller lifters on a hydrualic cam. Roller cams are made out of billet steel, flat tappet cams, such as hydrualic and solid lifter cams are made of cast iron. The roller lifter will tear the cast iron a new rear end and leave filings in the pan and all through the engine. Not a good idea for sure.

Also roller cam lobes are flat in relation to the cam centerline, where as flat tappet cams are slanted slightly. The flat cam is designed to spin the lifter in the lifter bore, that way there is even wear on the lifter. Running a roller lifter will overload one side of the roller and lobe causing a failure because it wont spin. If a roller lifter spins, then you have more than issues, you have entire volumes.

Also there is something about the oils now. There isnt as much zinc in them as it ruins catalytic converters. The zinc helped lubricate the flat lifters, it isnt a problem with roller cams but its a huge issue with flat cams. If you dont lube the cam good on assembly and use an oil with zinc in it, you wont have a cam very long. Consider using heavy duty truck oil, as it still has zinc in it.