Schubeck lifters

[nolongerracing]

So, the best way to "break in" a new cam for Trend lifters is to purchase a set of Smith lifters, "break in the cam" (Smith lifters require no break in) buy the Trend lifters, "break in the cam", and PRAY. If you have to pay the engine builder to do this on his dyno, looks like about a 2 grand waste of money.

[Larry Hill]

Just had a Schubeck junk my west coast swing engine. Same cam ,lifters, and stuff we have used for two or three years. Oil pan was full of ceramic and cam metal. I might be able to save rods and crank.


It might be time for roller lifters. Do any of the present cars, not copos, dragpaks, or C jets, have flat tappet lifters?

[Bruce Noland]

Larry I can feel your pain. I had two Schubecks crap out last year and a Smith lifter messed up my motor this year. Coated Precision tool steel lifters are the way to go. Talk to Chris at Comp.

[Jeff Teuton]

Just for information, I have a proposal into NHRA to allow aftermarket rollers in lieu of flat tappets. Why not try to get some folks to work on this. There has not been a flat tappet since the early 80's and I pointed that out along with only one manufacturer in the US. I know we squabble a bit, but those things are bad ancient unlike most of the old cars which are good ancient. Bruce, jump on that and get the troops to emailing CA and the Divisions. It's time for a change on that.

[V M Kauffman]

With all the problems that racers have had with the Schubeck lifters why does a lot of racers continue to use them? Their just asking for trouble! How many has Schubeck replaced?

[nolongerracing]

Larry,
Did you have any other damage to your valvetrain? Broken rocker, damaged pushrod, loose adjuster?

Originally Posted by Larry Hill

Just had a Schubeck junk my west coast swing engine. Same cam ,lifters, and stuff we have used for two or three years. Oil pan was full of ceramic and cam metal. I might be able to save rods and crank.


It might be time for roller lifters. Do any of the present cars, not copos, dragpaks, or C jets, have flat tappet lifters?

[Greg Reimer 7376]

Originally Posted by Jeff Teuton

Just for information, I have a proposal into NHRA to allow aftermarket rollers in lieu of flat tappets. Why not try to get some folks to work on this. There has not been a flat tappet since the early 80's and I pointed that out along with only one manufacturer in the US. I know we squabble a bit, but those things are bad ancient unlike most of the old cars which are good ancient. Bruce, jump on that and get the troops to emailing CA and the Divisions. It's time for a change on that.

Basically, you would need a cam ground straight across the lobe for roller lifters,not tapered for flat tappet lifters, the rollers, the link bar, what about a rev kit to keep the rollers in the block in the event of pushrod or rocker failure?Sounds like a good answer to the recent problems that have surfaced. I feel that a rational,sensible appeal to the tech department with this proposal is in order. So many 305 and 350 blocks are machined for the factory roller set up already,as is the Dart block. Seems to make sense that an aftermarket design exists for the OEM earlier blocks as well.Meanwhile,converting from ceramic base to tool steel lifters sounds like a good way out.

[Gregg Luneack]

I ask NHRA to make roller lifters an option 3 years ago, no response.
Just the cost and availability makes it a no brainer. Maybe if more
racers send emails something will happen.

[Billy Nees]

Originally Posted by Gregg Luneack

Just the cost and availability makes it a no brainer.

Not if I know Drag Racers! Next you'll see more wiped and broken cams, valve and valvetrain and spring failures. Availability maybe. Cost? Bull.

[Rick Leininger Jr.]

If the ceramic foot lifter always stays in contact with the cam the lobe, then the ceramic foot is a lot less likely to shatter. Issue (as far as I'm concerned) is that the optimal performing stocker camshaft will incorporate some amount of loft (cam/lifter separation for increased dynamic lift) incorporated into the design, therefore I'd only consider a steel/DLC coated flat lifter for a stocker application. Some of you may even be lofting and don't know it, or might find out when you have a failure.

In addition to the Precision steel lifters mentioned, I've used the Ferrea lightweight steel SBC flat lifters with the foots polished, successfully in a 8200 rpm SBC on a nitrided cam core.