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Flat tappet failure
https://slantsix.org/forum/viewtopic.php?t=33795		 Page 1 of 1
Author:  mod5j [ Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:07 am ]
Post subject:  Flat tappet failure
An interesting article on camshaft an lifter manufacturing.

http://www.pacificautotronics.com/MOPAR ... ETTERL.pdf

Actually I have been running roller motors for the past 10 years or so in motors other than Slants. But I like the author of the article, I have noticed more flat tappet failures in the past 3-5 years.

Food for thought.

Jim
Author:  Joshie225 [ Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:05 am ]
Post subject: 
That same material has been reprinted in a number of places. We discussed the issue at length some months ago.
Author:  runvs_826 [ Mon Feb 16, 2009 1:40 pm ]
Post subject: 
Hey Josh could you point me in the direction of that thread? Dad's been looking for a new lathe project and I was planning on solid lifters. I figure it could save me $50 and give him a project. Does anyone know what steel they use?
Author:  Joshie225 [ Mon Feb 16, 2009 5:22 pm ]
Post subject: 
You can't make flat lifters on a lathe that will last. Lifters are precision ground.
Author:  ValiantOne [ Mon Feb 16, 2009 6:56 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
You can't make flat lifters on a lathe that will last. Lifters are precision ground.
Not even with a grinding attachment?
Author:  runvs_826 [ Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:01 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well......... that's good to know!
Author:  Joshie225 [ Mon Feb 16, 2009 7:17 pm ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Quote:
You can't make flat lifters on a lathe that will last. Lifters are precision ground.
Not even with a grinding attachment?
You know flat tappets aren't really flat right?

Getting back to making lifters... Do you have a center-less grinder? Can you cast iron? Do you have chills for the forms so the base of the lifter is dense and hard? What type of heat treatment facilities do you have?

I know that solid lifters look exceedingly simple, but actually making one that works is not.
Author:  mod5j [ Mon Feb 16, 2009 8:36 pm ]
Post subject: 
Joshua for a tool using mammal you cut right to the chase.

I should have know you guy were already all over that.
My SL6 Forum "born on date" is Dec. 08 so I haven't read all 25,000 posts
I figure I got 15 more years of racing, I'll be 75 and I'll read them then.

But really, I did learn one thing: I'm buying "Made in USA" lifters.

All in fun

Jim
Author:  runvs_826 [ Mon Feb 16, 2009 10:24 pm ]
Post subject: 
Well, that's all good to know. I've just been looking for projects that seem easy for pops. I think I'm going to lean towards pistons as we can cast aluminum and have a big lathe. I didn't know lifters were so difficult!
Author:  Fopar [ Mon Feb 16, 2009 11:08 pm ]
Post subject: 
Wes,
You might make some long pieces that fit the lifter bore, it would make degreeing cams much easier if you could put a dial indicater on the longer part.
Author:  Charrlie_S [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 6:13 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Wes,
You might make some long pieces that fit the lifter bore, it would make degreeing cams much easier if you could put a dial indicater on the longer part.
I just took two lifters, and glued them togethjer with epoxy.
Author:  ValiantOne [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 7:50 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Quote:
Quote:
You can't make flat lifters on a lathe that will last. Lifters are precision ground.
Not even with a grinding attachment?
You know flat tappets aren't really flat right?

Getting back to making lifters... Do you have a center-less grinder? Can you cast iron? Do you have chills for the forms so the base of the lifter is dense and hard? What type of heat treatment facilities do you have?

I know that solid lifters look exceedingly simple, but actually making one that works is not.
No, I didn't know that. I thought lifters were flat and the cam was ground at an angle. I also thought high quality lifters were steel and not cast iron.

And no I don't have a heat treatment facility in my basement :roll: we sent out our hardening, precision grinding and coating work in the gunshop.

sheesh, don't get your panties in a bunch.
Author:  dakight [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 8:09 am ]
Post subject: 
The cam is ground at a slight angle, but in addition, the bottom end of the lifter is ground to a slight dome. Hold a straight edge to the bottom of a new lifter and it will be obvious.
Author:  Joshie225 [ Tue Feb 17, 2009 9:51 am ]
Post subject: 
Quote:
Well, that's all good to know. I've just been looking for projects that seem easy for pops. I think I'm going to lean towards pistons as we can cast aluminum and have a big lathe. I didn't know lifters were so difficult!
You know pistons aren't round at room temperature right? You can make them round, but cam ground pistons with steel struts are quieter and longer lived.
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