Could use some help here. Anybody out there running a BB that you are more interested in MPG than E.T.? I realize we all grew you thinking LS6
454 = horsepower = 8 MPG. Not necessarily. In '96 I installed a Chet Herbert B6P roller/ hydralic lifters. The Qjet replaced the Holley, the T56 replaced the Muncie and 3:55 replaced the 4:11. 8-10 MPG went to 23-24. ET went from 11.95 to ?. Borg rep said the T56 WILL let go if you put the 8" slicks back on.
The problem: Cam or lifters let go at 50K miles. Sent them back to Herbert for inspection. Answer: You have 50K miles on a 40K mile cam. The lobe profile creates extreme heat/ wear. It's like the roller is hitting a wall instead of a slope. I'm sure most of their cams are used up 1/4 mile at a time so 40K miles wouldn't be bad.
The solution: ? We cruise app 10K to 15K miles a yr in the '65. Gas won't stay at $2. Chance another Herbert cam? Actually I believe the lifter needle bearings went south before it took the engine with it.

 

Go with a Morel lifter as they seem to be a good peice and give Chris a call at http://www.straubtechnologies.com/ as I beleive they have a heavy duty hyd. roller for application

 

Thanks for the tip. I'm calling this AM.

 

Chris called and said he got all the parts you needed

 

I was so disgusted with Herbert I guess I will confess I probably would have bought the first cam I saw even if it was at a garage sale. I'll not going into any details on it now. Chris knows all about it. It is unbelievable. I don't know you or Chris from Adam and Chris has my credit card. That doesn't sound too good. Actually, I spent some time with Chris on the phone. He seemed to be in tune to what I was asking for rather than me listening to what he could sell me off the shelf. This camshaft thing has been a learning experience. It actually started back in 1996 when I was trying to get a Comp 292 flat tappet cam to seat in my 454 LS6. This is a balanced/ blueprinted crate motor that I bought in 1986 when the tired NOM 327 was not enough horsepower for my thirst in the '65 Vette. After wiping out two cams during the first 20 min of breakin, I went cam researching. I ended up with a Herbert roller. (If you have a BB and what to hear the details of the research, let me know). I ended up going from a 8 MPG 11.95 ET 1.78 60' hot rod back to a more mild 425 HP 23-24 MPG cruiser. This was all achieved with a carb, cam, and gear change only. I explained to Chris that the fuel mileage was my first concern and horsepower is second. I know that this is a rare request for a big block but you know what they say. To each his own. Has nothing to do with saving the enviornment but has a whole lot to do with saving my wallet.
Thanks again for the tip. Tell me about your ride.

Vic

 

Nothing worse than loosing an engine over a cam ( contamination etc.)
Goog luck

 

Ain't that the truth. Have a plan for the future. Have a buddy that has an engine camera that only needs a 5/16" hole. I will be drilling / tapping 2 - 3/8" holes in the intake. By occasionally removing the plugs in can monitor cam / lifter wear. In my case the needles in the lifters went south. This all started last June with a "that chirping noise does not sound good" on the way to Colorado. After pulling left bank cover and not finding any metal shavings, starting it and the chirping noise gone and all the valves doing their thing, we continued on to Colorado and 6 more states. I have some amazing pics of the cam and lifters I would post if I knew how. Only know how to email. How this engine ever stayed together for another 10,000 miles is beyond me.

 

Every thing is in route Vic.

 

Thanks Chris. You certainly jumped on it. Did you get a chance to look at the old Herbert cam? I know you are very busy. Thanks for taking time to build my cam.