Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Cutting grooves in the lifter bores can’t be undone.

Using the EDM hole lifters is an option and can be changed.

Some Stocker racers use Schubecks or Trend lifters and run tons of spring pressure.

The engine I built was low buck and the lifters were cheap.

It had good oil pressure and never hurt the bottom end

You could have used the edm lifters with no grooves and if that worked you were good. If it didn’t you could step up to better lifters. No grooves to complicate the build.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I have 4 sets of lifters, I tried EDM lifters and didn't like them. My preference is the groved block with non EDMs. I know not everything I'm doing or have done will be popular, and I'm ok with that. In my opinion there will never be advancement if we all do the same thing. I could have called any engine builder and had one built, I could have just paid 50k for a sorted out car, not my style. I appreciate all the help and advice, but sometimes I just gotta be me.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Grooves are .006, no edm holes in the lifter. This engine ran fine for years with grooved lifter bores (as have others), current oiling issues are not related to this.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

The groves look wider than the thickness of two hairs.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Hey.......when I get get something in my head I won't be stopped either
(just ask Dissident) carry on.......just be sure to show us the results.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

I fully realize that I have no skin nor treasure in the project that Todd and Autumn have shared.;)

However, when it comes to some technical items and issues, I think it is necessary to make those issues obvious before one goes down a problematic pathway that may be paved with lots of "he said, they said, everybody knows..." kinds of guidelines.

For a SBC (2.45" mains, 2.1" rods) with normal racing clearances, it is worthwhile to note the resultant internal oil leakage sources.

These data are as listed from items indicated:
Lifters (16) = total diameter of an orifice = 0.2323"
Cam brgs (5) = total diameter of an orifice = 0.2369"
Rod brgs (8) = total diameter of an orifice = 0.2899"
Main brgs (5) = total diameter of an orifice = 0.2476"
Will leave it to others to evaluate what those orifices flow in gpm at various pressures. It is quite eye opening!:D

Anyway you might look at it, that is a lot of leakage when you consider whatever psi one might want to evaluate. A builder is logically charged with the responsibility of how much and how to control the leakage paths. Sorry for the brief hijack of this otherwise very interesting thread.

Regards to All,
HB2:)
Dissident

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Everyone have a great Independance Day!

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Many changes happening and lots of work happening.
https://i.imgur.com/v1tRZjeh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/Ygv2KdLh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/gxeSqgVh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/xs4CNakh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/7EiVI5lh.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/1DQAE96h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/X6vtsA9h.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/eCPV5wch.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/OVhXLxKh.jpg

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

Tie that hair back!
She may not be running the machine; it's just a great habit to be in.

Re: H-I-J '76 Nova re-fit.
 

She doesn't have safety glasses on either. She also rode in the back of a pick-up last week. Can't tell these crazy kids anything these days!