Danish Shark

For my Big Block 489 kit I bought this oil return screen kit for the lifter valley:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-25001

After reading on other forums I'm no longer sure I should install it.
Some say that it was used before when the quality of the aftermarket lifters and rockers were not as good as they are today and it's no longer worth the risk of the screen or part of the epoxy getting loose.
Searching this forum there are some that recommend the screens, but that is mostly in older posts.
My lifters are Morel Street series (the cheap ones), rockers are Crane Gold. This is for a "low power" (540HP) hydraulic lifter setup.

7T1vette

If you use a quality oil filter like WIX or NAPA Gold (made by WIX), you don't really need it for a street machine.

Danish Shark

Thanks, but the point of these screens are to catch broken rocker/pushrod/upper lifter parts, spring clips that would otherwise drop onto the camshaft

427Hotrod

I know some folks have gone away from them...but I still like them in big blocks. Those are some awful big holes above the cam and anything that happens is going to get tossed around/chewed up by the cam on it's way to the rotating assy. and eventually the pan(hopefully).

I installed mine 14 years ago in my 540/555 and the epoxy is still as solid as ever. No issues.

JIM

TheSkunkWorks

I've been wishing I had thought to put them in my 427 BBC redux after deburring and before the Glyptal. In any event, given that I'll have upwards of $15K in the build by the time it's finally done I'll almost certainly end up going to the trouble for the insurance against chewing up a bottom end full of expensive bits should something bad happen upstairs at high RPM.

So, my vote would be a "yes". YMMV


Oh, and if it's a truly hi-perf build, I'd suggest considering a Moroso filter, if not a Canton.

cv67

Had good luck with Epoxy long term also
Screen the larger holes, plug off the ones by the cam or use stands
At that point unless you lose the needle bearings on a roller lifter not much risk at all (or use a bushed lifter).

7T1vette

Apparently this is to be a racing rig. That being the case, it might be a good idea.

Danish Shark

OK, it seems like I should use the screens.
Thanks guys.

@7T1, not really, just a regular big block, nothing too fancy.

7t9l82

i always use them if i do a complete build. another good filter is the WIX racing model, the difference in weight alone tells you the case is much stronger . if you ever had a filter blow apart near the end of a 1/4 mile pass running 14-32 w slicks it is something i don't want to repeat. anybody know if hastings still is in the filter business, they used to be good but can't find them around here.

TheSkunkWorks

Not on the strip, but have had one blow, oiling down the headers as well as the rears. Fortunately, I wasn't going all that fast at the moment, but getting stopped safely was definitely an adventure, not to mention the excitement of seeing the mirrors completely full of flames. Thus, one of the big reasons why I simply refuse to run a "consumer grade" filter on a hi-perf application; the other being to avoid excessive restriction in the first place. FWIW, both car and driver survived...

Danish Shark

In they went:

427Hotrod

Looks nice. They'll be there forever.

JIM