Hey Gang, A few weeks back I had read the posts made by Mike Phillips and Jim Burek regarding lifter issues. I thought this was some interesting information and said to myself "WOW... I am glad I never had this problem". So, fast forward two weeks later to Scott Striedle starting his new 455 Buick engine. Ya know.... the guy who has Doug's old tires! :laugh: After starting his engine and letting it run we would see a rather rapid oil pressure drop. This caused us to revisit this lifter issue. We look at his old lifters vs. his new lifters. Both sets were the same. So we doubted the issue was lifter related. After talking with Jim B. and Mike P. we decided to do some testing. I wanted to see if a bunch of oil was coming out of those lifters. So we took off the intake and hooked up my 850 RPM drill to the oil pump and watched how much oil would flow through those lifters. We were SHOCKED!!! To keep a long story short... I called up Mike Phillips and asked him what lifter he recommended using and he said the Comp 2900 lifter. Below is a picture of bad style lifters and the Comp Cams 2900 lifter. The Comp 2900 lifter is on the right side.
So is it possible for these lifters to flow different amounts of oil???? Well.... take a look at the video clip through the link below and let me know what you think??? Now remember this is 20W/50 oil. Just think if it was warm oil or 10W/30 and warm! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N1D1p2kGxrk
WOW I will put that in the memory bank . Just think what thatwould be like at 6000 rpm . Is Comp the only one to make a suitable lifter ??
Devon, Yes... its an unbelievable difference in the amount of oil going through the two lifters. When we did the same test with the rocker arms install it was amazing at how much oil was pooring out of the rockers. Some engine builders go to great lengths to limit the oil going to the valve train in hopes of moving that oil down to the bottom of the engine. I will also say there is a reason why this engine is being rebuilt:rant: Number 7 rod bearing let go causing a rod failure. So.... if all of that oil was going down to the crank would that bearing have failed???o No: Not all of the lifters were bleeding off this much oil. Some were a bit better but not close to the comp cams lifter. If I had a running engine right now with those lifters in it...they would not be in it for long!!! I would like to send out a HUGE THANKS to Mike Phillips and Jim Burek for posting this information. Later
With my Schubecks I had so much oil at the rockers it spit oil out in my face when I removed the oil cap! Probably caused my stock pan to run dry at 6500. Then the BIG BOOM!
I recently bought a set of TA 1405 hydraulic lifters are they any good? This is the second set of new lifters I have bought because of comments on this issue. I have not run either set yet. Any comments? Thanks
I have a set of those, and they look like the Comp 2900 lifter pictured above. I trust that any lifter TA would sell would be a proven lifter. ray:
Guys, I think the issue of who has good lifters and who has bad ones was explained in the other threads. Please go back and re-read those threads to find out that information. The lifters in the video clip are solids not hydraulics. I dont know if the hydraulics are having the same issue or not??? Later
Just out of curiousity were those Schubecks solids or hydraulics? Has anyone heard of people having issues with Schubeck hydraulics? Allen
TA had some bum lifters too. EVERYONE in the industry got bum lifters at one point during "the lifter crisis." Apparently this lifter problem is still being dealt with. That said, I suspect this is the problem I've had with my 494 for 4-years or so...Crap oil pressure once the oil warms up.
WOW! that is a ton of oil that could do better other places... also, that comp cams has alot more side contact area, which im guessing couldnt hurt.
hi guys sorry i havent chimed in yet but anyway. I got to drive the car today and i have to say. the oil pressure cold start 75-80psi with a very light spring and the adjuster about half way out. full temp. at a idle was at about 38-40. As soon as i touched the throttle the pressure jumped up to about 60-65@about 3k rpm. when before it was about14-16psi. 140deg. at a idle. touch the throttle and the pressure would barely climb to about 25psi. Everything seems to be fine now but i am going to bump up the pressure a little more. hope this helps Later scott
The last three motors I've been involved with have gone to crower edge orifice solid lifters. These lifters reduce oil to the rockers by 60%. With a new TA front cover the adjustable regulator was adjusted nearly all the was out to keep hot idle pressure below 50lbs:eek2: 100lbs@6300! I think it cures most BBB oil issues.
John, I like the video but I have to ask if the results are the same when the lifter spins on the cam while the engine is running? or was the oil hole in the lifter just lined up with the oil feed hole in the block better than the other lifter during your drill test? Are all the oil feed holes the same size? Mike carcrazy455@yahoo.com
