How many miles will solid lifter cam last

[Saltshaker]

I have the engine out of my car, the cam has 28k miles on it and runs great. Is it worth pulling it and put a hyd roller on it?
Jon

[plovett]

Of course you should not pull it out, unless you have some other reason to.

[GerryP]

There is no mileage forecast for a solid lifter flat tappet cam.  Same for a hydraulic flat tappet cam.  Same for a hydraulic or solid roller.  They can last 20 minutes or 300k miles.

If your thinking is there is a limited service life for flat tappet cams, there is not.  Realistically, everything has a service life.  How an engine is maintained will determine what service you might expect.  If you are happy with the cam that's in the engine, there is no reason to replace it unless you just want to.

[BattlestarGalactic]

I've got 20-30 years on my flat tappets in the two hot rods.  No issues.  Keep the right oil in it and it will last forever.

The flat tappet in the race car was 19 yrs old and still looks like new.  I still have it and the lifters ready for the next time I need them.

[cjshaker]

Well put it this way, I know of quite a few flatheads still running around with their original cams and lifters. So, how long do you plan on living? 

[427LX]

Till the day you get tired checking the valve lash!

[TJ]

Could look at the valve tips and rocker arm tips for fun.  It takes a long while but I've seen those beat up on very, very, mild cams (e.g. diesel tractor). 

[BattlestarGalactic]

I ran the wagon for the last three years without removing a valve cover!  6500 rpm all it's life and never a problem.

The 428 in my pickup and the 390 in the black car also have not had valves off for years and years.  Both have stock adj rockers on them.  .59 and .53 lift flat tappets.

[Falcon67]

Of course you should not pull it out, unless you have some other reason to.

Agree - unless you have some real want to upgrade to a roller, leave it.  Before upgrading I used a solid in the 351C race car.  I was a maintenance nightmare - not.  I ran the valves once a year for three years, just in the off season as a check.  Same with the 393 in the dragster - It uses a solid roller.  I check everything before the season starts, including pulling the lifters to do a visual/hands on, then set the lash and put the covers on.  Ready for the year.  If you use quality components, there is little to no maintenance required. 

[wayne]

A hyd roller has more to go bad then your solid flat tappet if you like the cam you have use it.

[Saltshaker]

Thnx
I’ll keep it
Jon