All Small Six Hydraulic Lifters on Solid Cam?

[Crustang to Mustang]

I am very limited with my budget based on how much work needs to be done on the car itself. This got me to prioritizing. I eventually want solid lifters so I don't want to just get a better hydraulic cam, but at the same time I can't afford a solid cam, solid lifters, and an adjustable rocker arm assembly... So I came across this Motortrend article. I need advice. https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&sou...UQFnoECBAQBQ&usg=AOvVaw1dDGC9N1Xyis6iIHLCniVl

 

[B RON CO]

Hi, personally, I don't see any benefit to running a solid lifter cam unless you plan to wind the engine up north of 6000 RPM. Good luck

 

[pmuller9]

Which hydraulic lifter cam do you have?

 

[Crustang to Mustang]

A stock 250 cam. As far as I know.

 

[pmuller9]

A stock 250 cam. As far as I know.

I don’t understand the problem.
If you are buying a new camshaft, Solid and Hydraulic flat tappet cams cost about the same.
A solid lifter on either one would need adjustable rocker arms.
So please explain the problem as you see it.

 

[Crustang to Mustang]

I can't afford everything at once, so I was wondering if I could run my stock hydraulic lifters on a solid Clay Smith cam. That way I wouldn't have to get the solid lifters or the adjustable rocker arms yet.

 

[pmuller9]

The problem there is that a new flat tappet cam should be broke in with new lifters.
Once the cam has been run with one set of lifters, changing to a different set of lifters later could cause cam lobe and lifter failure.

 

[Crustang to Mustang]

Well, you learn something new every day. Thanks for the info.

 

[Crustang to Mustang]

Do y'all have any recommendations when it comes to an aggressive hydraulic camshaft?

 

[pmuller9]

Do y'all have any recommendations when it comes to an aggressive hydraulic camshaft?

I'm fighting valve train stability with an aggressive hydraulic lifter cam right now.
Aggressive hydraulic lifter cams have always had a fine line between not enough spring pressure to prevent float and lifter pump up and too much valve spring that creates lifter collapse.

 

[Crustang to Mustang]

What about using 302 springs?

 

[pmuller9]

What about using 302 springs?

Do you know what the open and closed specs are on 302 springs ?

 

[Crustang to Mustang]

No I don't. But I read that they are good for mild performance motors with 264/274 camshafts.

 

[pmuller9]

The springs will depend on what the installed height is.
You must first determine the retainer height and what the installed spring pressure is needed for the cam you are using.
Then you need to get the correct spring rate for the correct open valve pressure.

 

[Crustang to Mustang]

Thanks for the info. So what cam are you using?

 

[pmuller9]

Thanks for the info. So what cam are you using?

What head are you using?

 

[Crustang to Mustang]

Right now I've just got a '73 large log, but I'm considering trying to fabricate a new head out of a couple of Boss 302 heads.

 

[pmuller9]

Right now I've just got a '73 large log, but I'm considering trying to fabricate a new head out of a couple of Boss 302 heads.

The 200/250 six has a 4.08" bore spacing with a 3.68" bore
The Ford small block V8 has a 4.38 bore spacing with a 4.00" bore.

How would you make that work together?

 

[Crustang to Mustang]

I have no idea. I hadn't gotten that far...

 

[Cox Custom Mechanical]

I have no idea. I hadn't gotten that far...

I’ve done a few head swaps and I can tell you that it won’t work.

With a limited budget stick to what’s been done and don’t try to reinvent the world.