Solid and Hydraulic lifters on a stocker.

[Bill Bogues]

I'm trying to understand the difference between a blocked hydraulic and a solid lifter. To
my way of thinking they are one and the same.I've ran both on the same cam and don't see why you have to run valve lash on the solids. With them checking cam lift at zero lash I don't like giving up any lift or duration at the valve.With our current combo the solids are definately better above 7000 than the hydraulics.Anyone out there running solids at zero lash that's willing to share.

[Mark Yacavone]

Originally Posted by Bill Bogues

I'm trying to understand the difference between a blocked hydraulic and a solid lifter. To
my way of thinking they are one and the same.I've ran both on the same cam and don't see why you have to run valve lash on the solids. With them checking cam lift at zero lash I don't like giving up any lift or duration at the valve.With our current combo the solids are definately better above 7000 than the hydraulics.Anyone out there running solids at zero lash that's willing to share.

Bill, Before the professionals get here, I'll give this a shot.
I'm not an engine builder but I hang around with a few.
Years ago, hydraulics were supposed to have at least .015 travel in the plunger. Later ,it became.."well ,we just want to see it squirt oil when we compress it in tear down".
Okay, so I'd get a piece of c/m tubing and cut spacers that would leave close to .010 travel.
Then I'd set the pre-load down to 1/6th turn ( one flat of the nut). That way, if I heard any clatter, I'd know something was wrong. Did the lifters collapse a tad and lose a few thou lift? Who knows?
Then along came the officially named Jeff Lee Rule, allowing solids.
No, you can't run zero lash. Too hard on the cam face, for one thing. The hydraulics allowed a bit of a cushion. All solid lifter engines run at least some. Some motorcycles I had were pretty tight..2-3 thou.
So now you have to run some lash. Yes, you'll lose a few thou. lift, but you might have lost it on the other side anyway.
My way of thinking is the solids ought to be cheaper, but also lighter, so they should be worth something.
I know, some people said the same thing about roller rockers.

[Jeff Stout]

On my Olds motor solid lifters are not available. I converted mine over to a solid style. I run .004/.005 lash hot. If I did it again I know now what my total is and would increase lift on cam profile as about .010 short on max lift. I would be scared to run zero lash hot as things grow at different temperatures and would possibly not allow valve to seat. No gospel just my .02

[Glenn Briglio]

Originally Posted by Jeff Stout

On my Olds motor solid lifters are not available. I converted mine over to a solid style. I run .004/.005 lash hot. If I did it again I know now what my total is and would increase lift on cam profile as about .010 short on max lift. I would be scared to run zero lash hot as things grow at different temperatures and would possibly not allow valve to seat. No gospel just my .02

Lift is checked with zero lash during teardown

[Jeff Stout]

Originally Posted by Glenn Briglio

Lift is checked with zero lash during teardown

Correct.I didn't write that very clearly at zero lash Im still .010 short on gross lift.

[Dan Fahey]

Going to an all Solid Lifter set up.
Does that allow for a better Cam Profile?
Or are the Cam Designer already there on Profiles?

On LT1
Have used both LS1 and Short Travel Lifters.
Did not see any performance improvement.
Other than a noisy Valve Trane.

D

[gsa612]

Originally Posted by Dan Fahey

Going to an all Solid Lifter set up.
Does that allow for a better Cam Profile?
Or are the Cam Designer already there on Profiles?

On LT1
Have used both LS1 and Short Travel Lifters.
Did not see any performance improvement.
Other than a noisy Valve Trane.

D

I would ask your cam company if the cam profile would be different.The short travel lifters would allow you to run a lighter oil (0 wt.) without bleeding down for a performance gain. gsa612

[Jeff Stout]

Cam company wanted to know what style lifter i was using

[Dan Fahey]

Talked to John Partridge today at Bullet.
Only advantage to go Solid Lifter if the Engine has to Rev.
For example 7500 rpm or more

Light Weight Solid Lifters are available.
Meaning lower Valve Train Mass.
Which helps Solid Lifter reliability.
Provided adding more Spring Pressure makes them expensive for survival.