Prepping parts for reassembly of my 302… I am cleaning up the lifters and noticed only 1 of em has a hole in side and top … looks like oil port. Don’t see any of the bores that have an oiling hole in em…. Any thoughts where this one goes? Brian
1952 GMC model 473 dump truck 1951 Chevy 1500 stepside
That's an oddball lifter that's been installed sometime in the past. The only reason for the hole is an oil drain- - - -no other purpose. Be sure the lifters go back on the same cam lobe where they were running before, or the cam and lifters will wear out in a very short time. Each lifter and lobe has its own distinctive contact pattern, so mixing up lifters will result in a very short life engine as the lobes destroy themselves and spread contaminants through the whole lubricating system. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Jerry, that makes sense but I have replaced the cam with a used one I got from someone on site as well as the distributor from same motor should I put new lifters in with the use cam? What is your opinion?
1952 GMC model 473 dump truck 1951 Chevy 1500 stepside
Either get the lifters reconditioned, or install new ones. There are a few places that will regrind used lifters to their original contour. "Dragsix" has the name of a company he says can do that. I'm building a fixture for my lathe to re-contour lifter bases, but it's not in operation yet. I'd also strongly suggest contacting Schneider cams about getting that used cam reground so you're starting off with virtually new mating parts, then go through the traditional 20 minute fast idle break-in run like you would do with a new cam and lifters. If that cam has a steel core, not cast iron, you'll need to run chilled iron lifters to avoid rapid wear of both the cam and lifters. Good luck! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
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.
