Flat tappet lifters

[larrym]

For you guys that are still running flat tappets whose lifters do you use.
A buddy is swapping one out and plans on a comp kit cam and lifters is there a better choice I have heard they aren't what they used to be.

Brad what do you run?

[gusszgs]

Hey Larry, I run TA's in my 464ci GS on a 290-08hl cam (fairly stout for hydraulic cam) never had an issue. Motor has been together since 2005. I've always run ZDDP as well. Not sure if TA still sells the same lifter or not. Part no in they're old catalogue is TA 1405 for the 455 and 1406 for the 231 V6. Gives you another option anyway.


 

[good2win22]

Yes Brad... What lifters and how much spring pressure?

[Steve Wood]

Run the Johnson lifters from TA.  Use the springs suggested for the cam.  If using the stock cam, use the comp 980 springs

[larrym]

Thanks gents I know Brad likes the 981 springs my buddy already has the 980s.

[good2win22]

Thanks gents I know Brad likes the 981 springs my buddy already has the 980s.

He led me to believe that he was using something stiffer than the 981's

[larrym]

Maybe I know he got a set from me a couple years ago.

[earlbrown]

There's no way in hell I'd ever risk an engine, turbo, and cooler to save a few bucks on a cam....


but whatever you do MAKE SURE the tappets have hardened feet on the bottom.  If they don't have the stellite disk fused on the bottom just fill up the engine with salt water and save some time.

[Scoobum]

I have a set of NOS GM lifters in this engine. Springs are 135 lbs. Got tired of swapping springs twice a season.

The smart move is a roller cam....don't do what I do.

For racing...the 980's and 981's soften up quick...that's why Joe and I went to heavy springs. Dusty Bradford has mentioned a couple of times that when he was using flat tappet cams...he was having to swap springs a couple times a season.

A roller cam allows the use of heavier springs.

[Scoobum]

Larry...those 981's I got from you are sitting on a stock set of 8445's Joe freshened up for me. 

[Scoobum]

I used CC flat tappet lifters in the past...noisy as hell.

[TexasT]

Do they loose tension from cycling or is it just age?. I have a set of 980s I was going to use on my 4.1 New(never used) but old(bought them 7-8 yrs ago). I guess I need a scale to check em out in a vice or something. Now that I have the 3.8 running again I might put them on there. I'm still running the stockers. About 140k on em. I'm sure they are tired.

[earlbrown]

Those stockers were tired in 1987

[Steve Wood]

I understand that cycling wears them out more than simply being under compression..b ut if they have not been installed, they should be good to go

[TexasT]

While we are discussing putting them in and hi jacking the thread, is there anything I should know before swapping them? Just take old out and put new in? Direct replacement? I'll probably use the rope trick to Keep the valves up. I'm guessing just compress the spring and use a magnet to extract the keepers. Will be doing it on the car.