C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Can a Flat Tapped Cam work with Rollers?

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Old Feb 20, 2013 | 05:48 PM
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Default Can a Flat Tapped Cam work with Rollers?

So my friend is looking to install the CompCam 12-671-4 (L79) cam in his Gen I 350 block, its from a 89' corvette, he has it convert'd to EFI carb(Holley Avenger Setup) Its pretty sick looking actually.

I apologize if this is a stupid question. But with his block having roller lifters and the cam he's looking to install is a flat tapped. Can this cam work with a Roller?

thank you again for your time and input!
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Old Feb 20, 2013 | 06:11 PM
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Originally Posted by 90TorqueMonster
So my friend is looking to install the CompCam 12-671-4 (L79) cam in his Gen I 350 block, its from a 89' corvette, he has it convert'd to EFI carb(Holley Avenger Setup) Its pretty sick looking actually.

I apologize if this is a stupid question. But with his block having roller lifters and the cam he's looking to install is a flat tapped. Can this cam work with a Roller?

thank you again for your time and input!
Roller lifters - No.

Flat tappet cam and flat tappet lifters in a roller block - Yes.
Will
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Old Feb 20, 2013 | 06:22 PM
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The cam profile is vastly different between a flat tappet and roller lifter.

Do yourself a favor and recommend he do it right.

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Old Feb 20, 2013 | 08:01 PM
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I wonder what would actually happen with a flat tappet cam installed with roller lifters? Instant binding? immediate destruction of the valve train? Beating the rollers off the lifters? Too much lift and breaking springs? nailing pistons?

Knowing the shape of the lobes is completely different...I know better, but never knew what the destruction would be...
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Old Feb 20, 2013 | 08:11 PM
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With the taper of the flat tappet lobes I imagine it would destroy rollers in quick order.
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Old Feb 20, 2013 | 08:47 PM
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The lobe of a flat tappet cam is tapered causing the lifters to rotate. If a roller lifter is used, only one edge of the roller would contact the cam. Receipe for failure.
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Old Feb 20, 2013 | 11:03 PM
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Originally Posted by 383vett
The lobe of a flat tappet cam is tapered causing the lifters to rotate. If a roller lifter is used, only one edge of the roller would contact the cam. Receipe for failure.
That's the first thing I was thinking about.
Then there's the open/close profile design (performance) a flat tappet uses for lifter life.
And the surface hardness that might be destructive to the rollers.... or cam

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Old Feb 21, 2013 | 07:50 AM
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Originally Posted by leesvet
I wonder what would actually happen with a flat tappet cam installed with roller lifters? Instant binding? immediate destruction of the valve train? Beating the rollers off the lifters? Too much lift and breaking springs? nailing pistons?

Knowing the shape of the lobes is completely different...I know better, but never knew what the destruction would be...
A flat tappet cam is ground on a very slight taper which constantly pushes the cam into the block. Roller not so, that is why a roller cam has a retainer, to keep it in place.
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Old Feb 22, 2013 | 05:26 PM
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thank you guys. He's pretty much stuck if he should get lifters or somethin else, but thank you all for ur input
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