hydraulic VS Mechanical
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 134
Likes: 0
From: Scottsdale AZ
hydraulic VS Mechanical
Help me decide. I am building a 406 SBC using AFR heads and Barry Grant sixshooter carbs. Should I use a mechanical or hydraulic lifters? Any other advice will be appreciated.
Thanks,
Bill
Thanks,
Bill
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
It depends on your use. I went with a hydraulic roller, rev kit and RPM limiter. Good to 6500 RPM and maintainance free with lower spring pressures for durability. If you plan on going over 6500 RPM then Solid roller is the way to go. I am not a rich man and have too much time, effort and $ in my build to rev over 6500 RPM because I don't want to take a chance of blowing it up and having to start from scratch. I have a forged 383, AFR heads, Large base custom rochester tripower and full hydraulic roller valvetrain.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Funny. I was going to say to run stud girdles or shaft rockers if you go solid roller. 
Seriously, not knowing exactly what the build in question is meant for, tho I'm a solid roller fan myself, my default vote is for an HR as long as the high-revs aren't sought.
Seriously, not knowing exactly what the build in question is meant for, tho I'm a solid roller fan myself, my default vote is for an HR as long as the high-revs aren't sought.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Austin TX
I have a 383 with a hydraulic roller and really like it. I don't have any experience with a mechanical roller. Everything I read says the hydraulic rollers have a limited life. IF that is true I know I like the hydraulic roller better.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
Do you mean solid rollers have a limited life?
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
I think that is what he meant. Hydraulic roller cams are standard equipment in almost all pushrod engines now and have a long life expectancy with little or no maintainance. Solid roller does require periodic adjustment and inspection, stronger springs = more wear and they have lash so they impact every revolution = more wear. You will not run a solid roller 100,000 miles with no maintainance. There are millions of hydraulic roller engines with over 100,000 miles in service now that have not been touched since built. If you want to rev over 6500 RPM a solid is a must though. For a pure race engine solid roller is the way to go. If you want revs and don't mind the maintainance solid roller is the way to go. If you want dependablity, low maintainance and don't rev over 6500 anyway (most street applications) a hydraulic roller with a rev kit will fit your needs. Most HR will go to 6000 RPM without a rev kit.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,526
Likes: 2
From: Oak Ridge NC
I think that is what he meant. Hydraulic roller cams are standard equipment in almost all pushrod engines now and have a long life expectancy with little or no maintainance. Solid roller does require periodic adjustment and inspection, stronger springs = more wear and they have lash so they impact every revolution = more wear. You will not run a solid roller 100,000 miles with no maintainance. There are millions of hydraulic roller engines with over 100,000 miles in service now that have not been touched since built. If you want to rev over 6500 RPM a solid is a must though. For a pure race engine solid roller is the way to go. If you want revs and don't mind the maintainance solid roller is the way to go. If you want dependablity, low maintainance and don't rev over 6500 anyway (most street applications) a hydraulic roller with a rev kit will fit your needs. Most HR will go to 6000 RPM without a rev kit.
