Flat Tappet failures solved ?

[Nashville Cat]

Comp Cams claims new surface treatment will prevent flat tappet cam failures
$119.95
COMP Cams DLC High Energy Hydraulic Lifters

The new COMP Cams DLC High Energy hydraulic lifters perform mechanically just as COMP's well-known High Energy line, but with the added benefit of a DLC surface treatment.
This produces a flat tappet lifters with an extremely hard, tough, and slick face that reduces friction at the cam lobe. The unique coating extends the life of the lifter and camshaft,
significantly reducing the likelihood of a flattened cam lobe. Additionally, COMP Cams DLC High Energy hydraulic lifters virtually eliminate the need for the traditional break-in procedure
associated with cast iron camshafts and flat tappet lifters. They maintain the excellent hydraulic performance that the High Energy Hydraulic Lifters have provided for many years.

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[Richard150MPH]

Funny, I have been looking into having this done for my Lotus lifters.

 

[cheveslakr]

None of that makes any sense. Snake oil to fix a problem that can only be remedied with good metal cores. A ft lifter/lobe interface is successful when the break in process mates them. The complex tolerance isn't flat and requires almost immeasurable clearances only achieved via wear achieved during break in. Throw a coating on that metal and you just made that process unattainable. Compromise that coating in any way and it's junk. A block's lifter bores are unique, and if that interface wear doesn't take place, the lifter doesn't rotate and it's junk. I'll be happy to sit back and watch this play out. Sounds like a democrat fix to a serious problem.

 

[Richard150MPH]

There are several hard face treatments that cam and lifters might benefit from.
I have looked into them.
Most are just too expensive for mass production or even small batch custom orders.
DLC has been used for a while now in sport-bikes and Tuner builds.
The trick to avoiding wear is largely to have different hardness on each surface.
Not a lot out there harder than DLC.
There is a MOS Sputtering process that may be better but I have not found anyone to do it for only eight lifters.

 

[Shovelrick]

Hardened Foot type that GM used Anything else

 

[cage2592]

None of that makes any sense. Snake oil to fix a problem that can only be remedied with good metal cores.

COMPLETELY Agree. I stopped buying their junk metal lifters and cams after a second cam lobe and lifter wipe. JUST FIX THE REAL ISSUE !!! Why create several 'fixes' on top of fixes. How about make quality parts. Ill never buy Comp Cams junk anymore. This is the day when you get what you pay for.

 

[77cruiser]

If I ever build another I'd be leaning towards Jones cams.

 

[cage2592]

And their lifters. Second for me on lifters would be Morel.

 

[Nashville Cat]

Personally I think it's the change in motor oil, not the metal of the lifters.
The computer machines we have today for machining lifters are as accurate as anything we've ever had.
The convex bottom of the lifter and the precise tolerances of the internals is as good as ever.
ZDDP levels had to be lowered to protect the catalytic converters. Emissions was what killed the flat-tappet cam.

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[cheveslakr]

I run several ft cams today, and 2 rollers in vintage stuff.....use either VR1 or Brad Penn, no failures. Most recent cam purchase is 5 years back, and use Howards cam saver lifters. The only failure I ever had was 25 years back by ignoring the oil warnings and after several thousand miles 1 lifter went. Again, ignored all warnings and cleaned the oil and replaced the cam......ran it for 10 thousand miles after that, then sold the car.
If I do another anytime soon, I'll be very cautious and do a lot of research AND be willing to abort the idea and go roller.

 

[Nashville Cat]

I think I underestimated how important ZDDP is to cam-lifter contact.
It really does form a hard diamond-like film on both surfaces (see above article).
Rollers don't need this level of protection.

 

[Shovelrick]

If I ever build another I'd be leaning towards Jones cams.

The pro builder that built my 489 told me a guy at Gaterman lifters gave him Jones’ number for flat tappet cams although he prefers rollers he’ll give Jones a try, 2 weeks ago we took my co workers 289 there for a rebuild to a 331 stroker and it’ll either get a roller or a Jones flat tappet kit

 

[Richard150MPH]

I have a source for getting DLC added to my lifters.
At $650 for the billet cam adding DLC will be cheap insurance.
Still prefer the MOS2 if I can find a place to get it done.
Finally got the tab on my trick new valves and springs, just under $600.00
This is turning into one expensive little engine.

 

[Nashville Cat]

I have a source for getting DLC added to my lifters.
At $650 for the billet cam adding DLC will be cheap insurance.
Still prefer the MOS2 if I can find a place to get it done.
Finally got the tab on my trick new valves and springs, just under $600.00
This is turning into one expensive little engine.

This is a pushrod engine ? I thought it was overhead valve ?

 

[Richard150MPH]

Pushrods and "Hemi" head, so yes also overhead valve but not overhead cam.