Comp cams
 

Can’t remember anyone know about what year it was when comp flat tappet lifters went to crap. Have older set but not sure if I should use them.
Terry

Re: Comp cams
 

Last year I broke in my stocker cam with a set of new comp lifters. I put lots of cam lube, put springs that were 50# or so on the seat then made sure it fired within the first couple revolutions. Ran for 45 minutes between 2000 and 2500. Let it cool, installed the big springs and no issues. Lots of horror stories so I was super paranoid and made sure everything was perfect before I hit the key.

Not saying it's right or wrong or even if comp lifters are good/bad. I am saying, if I had a new set of lifters, I would run them with the aforementioned precautions.

My $.75 Canadian ($.02 US)

Re: Comp cams
 

All the local engine shops have me worried from comp horror stories. Seems like most started during covid but not sure if before that. Box is dated 2018.

Re: Comp cams
 

Check your lifters to see that they have the correct 0.002" crown, and a good finish on the face. Then use a good quality molydisulfide lube on the face of the lifter (NEVER on the sides) and the cam lobes. You can also drizzle a good assembly lube over that, and a good quality mineral based oil. Use springs that have no more than 200# OPEN pressure, and about 50#-75# seat pressure. Use a good quality break in oil, Brad Penn, Lucas, Driven, Royal Purple, etc. Have your lash/preload set correctly. Have the engine set up to start the instant you try, meaning the fuel bowls are full, the ignition is properly spark timed, etc. Make sure you have the tools handy to set the timing engine speed, etc., and make sure you can cool it. Start it, make sure it goes to 1500-2500 RPM, vary it every 2-3 minutes, and run it for 30 minutes.

Re: Comp cams
 

I've used 2 sets of Comp flat tappet lifters in the last few years. Both sets were old stock, one hydraulic and one solid. Both engines worked out fine and both still running. I might still have the boxes, didn't know there was a date code on them. Both were broken in on break-in oil, can't remember which brands I used, and soft springs. Hydraulic went to Rotella 15w-40 and the flat tappet is on 20w-50 VR-1.

Re: Comp cams
 

Thanks for the replies.
Terry

Re: Comp cams
 

The cams have a date on the end of the box.
I only run cast cams from them that are 2019 or
older any more.

On any of the cast cams = Look for "CWC" stamped
into the cam. A lot of the Chinese crap is an inferior
cast iron.

I just do not have the budget for the new billet cams and lifters
for our six stockers.


Just my .02 = For Free!

Re: Comp cams
 

Just to clarify, "CMC" (Camshaft Machine Company), not "CWC". They make the cam cores.