Jerry’s not kidding. Cam failures seem to be at epidemic proportions the last few years. Want to give yourself the best chance at not having that issue, get that cam to a cam grinder and have a fresh grind made. There are two places that can do it. I use Schneider Cams in San Diego California. Call them, you get to talk to the owner, Jerry Cantrell, figure out a grind, stock or otherwise, get the cam out to him. You might also consider sending him the lifters, new or used. Schneider can regrind the lifters to match the crown profile to the cam profile.
The other alternative is Powell Cams. They can do the same thing, but Schneider has been doing this for decades and for these old motors, I think that experience goes a long way as to why I have never had a failure with one of their cams. I just took delivery of two 235/261 reground cams from Schneider last week and getting ready to send them two more for regrind.
Finally, Rocker Arms Unlimited, also out in California, can rebuild your rockers, which while not cheap, goes a long way to making the motor run really well and quieter than a worn out set. But they also can regrind lifters.
Finally, you can use new lifters on a used cam. I have done it, but not in the last 40 years or better. And you will likely hear a few others tell you they have done it and it can be done. But regardless, It’s not the best alternative or even a very good alternative. You have to use cam break-in lubricant, brake-in oil, and break it in like a new cam, but using an old cam and new lifters, it’s a total crapshoot. So when the cam gouges out the lifter face, or when new lifter lays waste to a cam lobe, you should not be very surprised.
The better call is to bite the bullet and get the cam reground, and lifters (even if they are new) reground to match the cam. Now you have the very best chance avoiding a cam/lifter failure.
Last edited by Dragsix; 10/21/2023 4:46 PM.
