christineman
Well-Known Member
Can anyone tell me if i can put solids on a hyd cam?? Both new.
It IS BEST to use the cam the way it was designed to be used. If you want a solid cam, by a solid cam.
However.
I have run the solid lifters on a hydraulic flat tappet without trouble. If you set the valve lash to .004"-.006" the solid lifter will approach hydraulic lifter ramp at an angle that will let the cam and lifters live. Some problems begin to arise when using an aluminum head when doing this. The aluminum head will expand and increase the lash some .006" and you will end up with .012" lash and you start to skip the hydraulic lifter ramp ground into the camshaft. So with the aluminum head you start the lash just about .000" and sometimes you have valves that may hang open some until the engine warms up.
I think you're really safe if you are using iron heads and you are adept at setting the valve lash. IF NOT, just stick with the hydraulic on hydraulic set up.
I read about an engine build where the hydraulic cam had problems at higher RPMs, and power fell off. I think it was due to the lifter plunger sinking into the body at high speeds. They put solid lifters on it, and a tight valve lash as has been suggested. This solved the high RPM problem, and the motor picked up quite a bit of peak horse power. Seems like it was on the order of 40 or more H P.
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Be careful when doing this, Too tight can leave a valve hanging open and burn a valve. Too loose can cause the cam lobe to go away in a hurry.
It IS BEST to use the cam the way it was designed to be used. If you want a solid cam, by a solid cam.
However.
I have run the solid lifters on a hydraulic flat tappet without trouble. If you set the valve lash to .004"-.006" the solid lifter will approach hydraulic lifter ramp at an angle that will let the cam and lifters live. Some problems begin to arise when using an aluminum head when doing this. The aluminum head will expand and increase the lash some .006" and you will end up with .012" lash and you start to skip the hydraulic lifter ramp ground into the camshaft. So with the aluminum head you start the lash just about .000" and sometimes you have valves that may hang open some until the engine warms up.
I think you're really safe if you are using iron heads and you are adept at setting the valve lash. IF NOT, just stick with the hydraulic on hydraulic set up.
A good article, may be the one you were referring to, when Mopar Muscle tested a solid vs. hydraulic camshaft in a 440 mule:
http://www.moparmusclemagazine.com/..._0312_solid_vs_hydraulic_lifters/viewall.html