Hey everyone so I finally got my valve cover off today and was shocked to find that I have hydraulic lifters. This seems odd to me due to I have a 1974 dart swinger.

My reason for this post is that Im thinking of switching the hydraulic lifters for mechanical lifters. I would like to get some feed back before I make any decisions on weather or not I make the switch.

I know that there are good points to both styles. But I would really like to hear some input from people who have much more experience than I. I will appreciate any input that you guys have for me. At the same time this switch will not be happening for some time due to lack of funds I looked up some of the parts online and well WOW!

Thank you,
Chris

Sounds like your engine has been replaced. Was it originally painted black?

All you have to do to put a mechanical cam and lifters in your engine is the cam, lifters, pushrods and adjustable rocker assembly. The mechanical valve train uses cheaper lifters, can give higher performance, and pushrod length is less critical.

The slant six hydraulic lifters are unique in that they are fed oil from the top rather than a band around the side of the lifter body. If you need some check this auction!

Many mechanical lifter cams have a higher rate of lift than hydraulic cams and therefore open and close the valves faster giving larger valve openings for a given valve open duration. Having the valve open farther (to a point) means more mass flow through the valve and more torque and horsepower.

If you do block or head milling to raise the compression ratio of a hydraulic lifter engine you will need shorter pushrods to compensate. Too long a pushrod can completely compress the plunger in the lifter and hold the valve open.

If the engine runs well the way it is then keep it all together. If you want to change to a mechanical cam then plan on changing more parts.

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Joshua

Well it sounds to me that the mechanical lifters have a lot mor to offer than the hydraulic lifters do. Now the only problem is going to be coming up with the money for parts other than lifters.

Thank you,
Chris

This can be done on the cheap. A reground mechanical cam, some new solid lifters, a used mechanical rocker assembly and pushrods. It's easy!

Is there something wrong with your existing valve gear?

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Joshua

No its not that there is anything wrong its the fact that there is so much more that I can do with my car with the mechanical lifters. It may not be much but hey something is better than nothing. But I'm probably going to give it awhile let everything go through in my head for awhile.

Thank you,
Chris

If I were you I would stop right now and think about what you want to do with the car. Set your ultimate (reasonable) goal and then plan the mods to get there.

The engine requirements for a mild to moderate street machine are different from those for an all out race car.

You can do your build in stages but what you don't want to do is have to backtrack and rework something you've already done.

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David Kight
'62 Valiant Signet, White
'98 Dodge Dakota
'06 Jeep Liberty

Growing older is unavoidable but growing up is strictly optional.

I probably should have said this in my original message sorry. My 74 swinger is my DD and I'm not going to make to many mods to it. I'm just looking for options so when I do eventually get it to the track I can tune it to have a little extra something. But I do take what you say to heart because I really don't want to do any back tracking.

Thank you,
Chris