Lifter Angle Question

All this lifter angle disaster is theory. How many small blocks have been built since 67? I know they're all junk and none have gone fast. Has anybody here built a small block that'll reliably run mid 9s in street trim at 3750lbs? And , oh no, it's a hydraulic roller. Taller lifter, shorter push rods, and even more angle. We have. The lifter angle bothers NOTHING at reasonable rpm attainable with a stock block power limit. Quit worrying and build your hot rod.
Doug

dvw said:

All this lifter angle disaster is theory. How many small blocks have been built since 67? I know they're all junk and none have gone fast. Has anybody here built a small block that'll reliably run mid 9s in street trim at 3750lbs? And , oh no, it's a hydraulic roller. Taller lifter, shorter push rods, and even more angle. We have. The lifter angle bothers NOTHING at reasonable rpm attainable with a stock block power limit. Quit worrying and build your hot rod.
Doug

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Technically it’s the history of, and reasoning behind the design that prompted the discussion. It’s theory that’s been proven over and over but it isn’t the end of the world if it’s not perfect. Chryler had no reason to correct it because they weren’t trying to build 8000rpm high horsepower engines.

Hemirunner said:

Technically it’s the history of, and reasoning behind the design that prompted the discussion. It’s theory that’s been proven over and over but it isn’t the end of the world if it’s not perfect. Chryler had no reason to correct it because they weren’t trying to build 8000rpm high horsepower engines.

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Agreed. That's why I don't want to see any unnecessary fear of building a LA based Mopar.
Doug

if you would see a cut away drawing of the 318 poly like the cut away drawing of the LA in the first post you would understand the "why". in the poly motor both intake and exhaust push rods are not in line with the lifter angle, they are equally the same angular difference in opposite directions. keep in mind also that push rod angle changes slightly through its motion of lifting the rocker arm.
you are stuck with what you got unless you go to a 48 degree block and cam and how would you compare the two different blocks for efficiency and power? that would require alot of testing.

I would say Mopar made a fine decision in leaving it alone. I know of and have seen many awesome running Mopar smallblocks over the 45 years I have been playing with hotrods. Its common place to see stroker smallblock Mopars running 10's in A-body street cars not to mention the 9 second and faster ones. I would say its worked just fine over the last 55 to 60 years. Ron