How many have experienced flat cam/lifter failure with an OD trans?
Have a theory that maybe cam failure could be attributed to lower rpm's caused by OD trans.Need data to see if it's plausible.Cam is lubricated by splash from the crank spinning correct? Less rpm's especially during long highway cruises while in OD could be a leading cause of cam failures.Dropped my rpm's from 2900 to 1900 @ 60mph with an OD trans.
How about roller cams?Seems some have experienced roller cam failures as well.Solid or Hydraulic?
Installed solid EDM lifters and I run a six speed Richmond OD trans.Will see how this combo lives with lower rpm's.Using Amsoil Zrod 10-30w.So far no lash changes since initial adjustment,just over 1k miles driven.
Any opinions on the subject??

 

lifters have pressurized oil. right into the side of them. I never had a cam failure in my life till I bought a junky pot metal Comp Cams. They started the rash of failed cams years ago. It was unheard of before unless bubba was setting up the lifts.

The blame has gone onto emission friendly oil. With lower zinc levels.

The key is to run the correct weight of oil. If you have 20-30 psi at idle and top out about 10 psi per 1000 rpm you are good to go.

My hot rod gets 10W-30 and gets to be 100 degrees here and my Crane Pro solid rollers run fine on my billet cams

 

The modern lobe profiles of flat tappet hydraulic cams are way beyond the safe intensity limits designed by GM. They require heavier springs, careful break in, the correct oil and perfect valvetrain geometry. This get you more power and better street manners but life expectancy suffers. Solid flat tappet cams are going to have a shorter life expectancy. Lash, heavier springs and higher rpms increases the loading at the lifter lobe. The EDM lifters help but they can only do so much. The lobe design on these is way beyond a "safe" hydraulic intensity also and all the other precautions above go for these as well. Solid rollers are a better option but the valvetrain weight increases combined with high RPM and even higher spring pressure requirements also causes long term issues with these. I have never heard of a hydraulic roller failure if it was properly set up with correct springs, quality components and rpm limited to high operating range of the cam. This is the main reason I generally recommend hydraulic roller in a street engine. I don't have the income to afford redo's and in my opinion this is the abolute best option for a performance street build. You might give up a little power but it limits the rpm and mantainance. This is especially true with an overdrive trans where the splash lubrication is reduced and your cruising RPM drops below the operating range of the cam.

 

Motor oil isn't what it used to be. The manufacturers are being pressured to put less zinc in the mix to reduce the amount that ends up in the atmosphere when the oil burns. The zinc is what maintains lubrication under high pressure. Most automobile manufacturers are going to roller cams to avoid cam failure. When you combine modern poor quality oil with high lift cams and high spring pressure, its a recipe for disaster. If you do some research, you can find oils that still have reasonable levels of zinc. Switching to a roller cam is probably a better idea if you can afford it.