tool steel lifters

[Rick Kagawa]

I have an L78 stocker.

My question is about using tool steel lifters on a cast iron cam. I have been told that you cannot use DLC coated lifters on a cast iron cam. That you need to use uncoated lifets on a cast cam.

Is this correct?

[Bob Gullett]

Hi Rick. In my spare I ran a Pppp lifter with a special coating that will work on a cast cam. After 75 runs cam and lifters looked like new.

[Alan Roehrich]

Originally Posted by Rick Kagawa

I have an L78 stocker.

My question is about using tool steel lifters on a cast iron cam. I have been told that you cannot use DLC coated lifters on a cast iron cam. That you need to use uncoated lifets on a cast cam.

Is this correct?

Correct. You absolutely cannot run DLC against cast iron.


James Schaecter at one time was working with a company that coated both cast iron camshafts AND tool steel lifters. I have had 3-4 customers who have been very successful with that coating. I have only been using Trend lifters, my dealings with PPPC, or, actually, a customer's dealing with them, and my inquiry with them after the failure the customer experienced, turned me off of them permanently. I have been using Comp cams, and they have been nitriding my cams for me.