Hey Guys, Do you think if I put a used cam and lifters in my motor I would run into trouble with the cam lobes? My thinkin is when I put the cam and lifters in, the lifters are not going to be sitting exactly where they were on the lobes of the cam in the other motor, compared to my motor. I know the lifters spin in the bores, but are they going to spin if the lifters arn't sittin exactly where they were before..It is a higher milage cam, so should I be worried? Thanks!
You should be fine with lifters going back on the corresponding lobes. I suggest you use lots of moly cam lube, and treat it like a fresh break-in just to be safe. Devon
I disagree. There is always a risk that you'll put the wrong lifter on a lobe and then you run the risk of wiping 2 lobes. Lifters are generally cheap, so use the cam, but replace the lifters.
I agree, if you're not 110% sure of the previous lifter placement then it's not worth the risk. Devon
I was thinking the same thing as Bill. How could it be alright if the lifter bores can be different between the two motors. I would replace the lifters. Then again, you might end up buying 3 sets just to get enough good ones, so there could be a lot of cost there. ________ Marijuana strain index
cam Ya, these are both used and have been taken apart according to the order of lifters to lobes..Yes, during engine manufacture I am sure between core shift, and other variables, the lifters would not be going exactly where they were going..So later the wear pattern would crisscross the other wear pattern disrupting the spin therefore wiping a lobe. "possibly." These are stock lifters to I think also. Mmmmmmm now you have me thinking.. :eek2:
For what it costs to disassemble a complete engine after a cam lobe failure, the price and replacement of new lifters is at this time is a deal. If you want to take the risk,and the lobes all look fine, at least make sure that your lifters are rotating clockwise in their bores when spinning the cam. You'll have to apply a slight pressure on top of the lifter cup to get this action. I like Crane's Cam breakin poured on top of the Moly on the lobes to help reduce any wear in scuffing. Tom
As long as the lifters are in order and go back on the same lobe you will have no problem, You have a greater risk of flattening the cam if you put new lifters on it. I have transferred cams from block to block for many years and NEVER EVER have I had one go bad because of that. I have put brand new lifters on a used cam before and had the thing go flat almost instantly. This was with a larger cam however. I beleieve it was a KB mark 3. The lifter bores are all pretty much in the same spot from block to block, this is a machining operation, you may have core shift making one block look like it has thicker lifter bores than another block, but the holes are in the same spot. If the used lifters are starting to show wear, ie, starting to cup on the bottom, then throw both them and the cam away. Think about it people, if the question here about transferring a cam to another engine were a problem, then you would never ever want to buy a used cam from anybody under any circumstances. Jim Burek P.A.E. ENTERPISES
Bill, If the cam and lifter surfaces all look good and you have kept the lifters in order put them in and worry about something else. If you have not kept them in order, check the face of all the lifters and take note if they are flat or have a crown to them. You can use the side of another lifter as a straight edge. If all the lifters are still crowned you should be safe to use them on what ever cam you like. Nothing is for sure but in most cases the odds of a problem has been reduced by 50%. Because that one of the two surfaces has been burnished (polished) in, the amount of friction generated has also been reduced. Same goes with new lifters on a used cam. The very worst case as you can see is a new cam & lifters. This also applies to cam bearings. In our industry there are engine shops (race teams) that employ folks to break in cams and lifter sets. The man job is to run the set in. They use an engine block with heads, driven electrically, lots of good oil on the cam assembly and increase spring pressure through out the break in. When finished, the parts are boxed, shelved and ready for use. So Bill, I think you will be ok. Mike
Sorry, it wasn't my intention to spread misinformation. Good to hear from 2 very experienced sources that it's ok. That is REALLY interesting about the cam break-in. Would there be any benefit to breaking in a 455 cam with an electric motor? ________ LovelyWendie99
thats a good point about the machining operations. the core can shift, but as long as the holes are machined in the same spot in relation to where the cam bottoms out in the block all should be good. what stops the cam from moving around in the block anyway? the rear most bearing surface? -nate
I'm sure Jim and Mike know a world more about this than me, but cam walk is a reality in these engines. You can install a bumper in the timing cover to counter it.
Cam walk has only been a problem with roller cams in the 455. Flat tappet, wouldn't waste the time trying to install a cam bumper.
Well I've never needed one myself :grin: but then again I don't race. I figure if they didn't need a bumper back in the day, they don't need one now unless I'm doing something out of the ordinary
