Upgrade to a roller setup on 1970 GS455 with many TA parts

It’s the lifters. It’s not just Buicks. All of the well-known and experienced builders are having the same issues all of a sudden,so it’s the lifters.

 

The two piece lifters like Ben mentioned are the old design that never gave any issues,..but like everything they try to make things better,...ie cheaper,...ie let's make them more failed prone do we can sell more parts and we'll just tell them they did something wrong,..it's how America does business now,..you build it to fail....nitrating them is an option,...maybe Teflon coating,..not sure but it will be left up to the consumer to overcome it,...imo

 

Not to hijack the OP thread, these are TA lifters from approx 2012, are these the type with the hard foot bottoms?

 

Yes those are the good ones,..some even had an oil orifice in the foot

 

One good thing about solids is they get a break if you will,...for the millisec they are at full lash every revolution,..the hydro will still be preloaded as we know,...unless they are suffering from what most do now ,..bleed down and start rattling after the oil thins. In which case they are then getting slapped around

 

If it’s a hyd flat tappet,install a solid lifter,set it at zero lash and be done.

 

My son and I will be doing a cam swap in his 464 soon. Just pulled the engine out of the Regal today. He bought a new T/A 413 to replace the bad cam. We can run solid lifters on this cam?

Ken

 

Yes you can

 

And a better chance of it living too.

 

That's something we will have to think about! This engine has a set of ported Edelbrock heads on it. Where do you guys recommend setting the valve lash at?
Thanks
Ken

 

Zero lash

 

Thanks

 

Thank you and others for your comments. After further thought on this and, I've changed my mind on the mild/stock cam and probably should go with something a little more aggressive. LARRY70GS mentioned these:
(from the TA catalog, here is snippet of some of it from the beginning with the legend):




I would like to discuss the cam grind a little more. I still want good vacuum and a smooth idle.

So, the old comp cam I had was this:
https://www.compcams.com/high-energy-218-218-hydraulic-flat-cam-for-buick-400-430-455.html



I guess the comp cam218-218 part number closest TA match would be the TA 212 or TA C110 ?

The idle quality chart has this:



I don't want any less performance than it had with the comp cam. Has anyone here used either one of these or have thoughts on this?

I still am considering roller lifters(and have more questions), but would like to settle on the cam grind before asking more questions.

Edit update: I noticed the quote I have from TA has : Z-GRIND ROLLER CAM455 HYD ROLLER, TA 212RH
thanks

 

I’m using that comp cam in my car currently. It’s basically a stock cam….very docile. Only reason I’m using it is because it came with a stock 72 short block and 72 heads. For sure not a great choice. Split duration cam would be much better choice. Maybe something with 220 ish intake duration @50, 230 ish exhaust @50 on a 112 LSA will give you decent idle etc.

 

Installing solid lifters on a hyd cam. Set with the engine COLD. Put the lifter on the base of the lobe. Either use a .004"-.005" feeler or run the adjuster down to remove the play then back off the adjust screw a 1/8 of a turn. When the head gets warm the lash will grow.

 

Same specs for Alum heads vs iron?

 

From the TA chart it has: Good Idle - mild lump, but doesn’t impair driveability. Moderate Idle - nice performance sound.

I can live with a mild lump or even a nice performance sound(that sounds like it would be a step up compared to the old comp cam).
I would be concerned about vacuum for the power brakes if that would be an issue.

Are the TA212 or the TAC110 'split duration' cams? (I'm still learning)

 

In performance applications use trend tool steel solid lifters. Cost more however should be the last set of lifters you would ever need to buy. You can reuse them on different cams. If they do ever wear, the crown can be put back on them just send them back to Trend.