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  • Hemmings Muscle Machines

    ASK RAY

    Apr 27, 2022 5 minutes
    By Ray Bohacz

    CAMSHAFT CONFUSION

    : I have read two articles lately on engine builds: One was the Ford 351 Cleveland build in HMM (“Overachiever,” February 2022, # 222) and the other was a big-block Mopar in Hot Rod magazine. Both engines were built using flat-tappet camshafts, and neither build was cheap. My question is, why use a flat-tappet camshaft instead of a roller? The last engine that I built with a flat-tappet cam was 20 years ago. After replacing two cam-and-lifter sets, I read that the modern oils lacked the high zinc and phosphate levels that were in older oils. When I replaced the third cam and lifters, I started using Shell Rotella diesel oil. The third cam has lasted approximately 20,000 miles. All the engines that I built after that have roller cams and lifters.

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