Thread: new lifters old cam

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Can you install new hydraluic lifters without changing the cam. My mechanic said that it will wipe out the cam?

I would never try it.Just go out a buy a brand new cam and lifter set.You should be able and buy a kit for $125 to $200 depending on what brand you go with.

i my self have install new lifters on a used cam two or three times and never had a problem. its when you remove the lifters and plan on reinstalling them they need to go into the same lifter bores or you could wipe out the cam

you also should inspect the bottom of the old lifters for wear ie dished and if they are its possible that lobe on the cam could be worn why are you putting new lifters in anyway?

I agree, if the old lifters need changing, chances are the cam is worn out too.

ive replaced a lot of lifters without replacing the cam over the yrs. fixed a lot of lifter noise that away. wouldnt replace the cam without lifters though.if its got many miles on it change both.

let me tell you where im at, I just got a 73 chevelle that has been sitting in a barn for about 15 years, the engine was rebuilt before it was parked and has about 10,000 miles on it. The oil was like hot fudge when I got it. I changed it , and oiled the rocker arms and down the pushrods before starting it. It seems like some of the rocker arms are not getting a whole lot of oil compared to the other ones. Oil pressure is 40 when cold and can drop to about 10 in 100 degree heat. The engine runs good, no smoke at all and after about 2000 miles of driving the plugs look like I just took them out of the box. The only problem is the clacking coming from the engine, I have not done the preload on the rocker arms so that may be some of the noise, but im concerned about the lack of oil to some of the rocker arms, I think some of the lifters are dirty and not letting enough oil through. Thats why I wanted to swap them out since I was going to change the manifold but I dont want to ruin the cam. Now you guys know where Im at what would you guys do?

If I was driving the car everyday after a 10,000 mile overhaul and a lifter went bad id put in a set of lifters. The 15 years kind of change things though. have you tried adjusting the valve? Sometime backing off the adj. will loosen them up. id add a lifter additive, adj. the valves and see what happens. oil pressure is not the best in the world, but ive seen less. if its low oil pressure causing the lifter noise the new ones want help. it dont have to be the same amount of oil out of ea. rocker as long as they are all getting some oil. sounds like the cam is ok from sitting up. if it was mine and i thought lifters would fix it id put lifters in .

DITTO