FE Power Forums
FE Power Forums => FE Technical Forum => Topic started by: 66gtafairlane on July 25, 2026, 08:32:07 PM
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I realized a problem when assembling this street motor.The cam is a locally ground custom mechanical flat tappet from an old core ( around 235ish@0.050) and due grinding with a smaller base circle than standard.The new Howards shell type mechanical lifters sit too low in the bores so that when at base circle, the thinner part of the lifter is almost visible from below, ie. the bore does not support lifter´s lower part as well as should. The solution would be a lifter where the thinner part of it is located higher. The lower part of the Howards before the thinner part is approximately .86" long. Is there a .874 dia lifter with longer lower portion?
Thanks !
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Well, I'd be more concerned that you were past the hardness of the core if it's sitting that low.
To answer your question though, can you show us a lifter? An original shell lifter is continuous diameter, but if unable to find or use, potentially SBF solids could have the oil band in a little different place, but you'd have to research the exact location. Both potential solutions require different pushrods
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If the block isn't drilled to oil the lifters, most likely you can get away with that, as long as the lifter is stable in the bore at base circle and the cam hasn't been ground through the heat treat.
Most of your FE lifters will have the oil band in the same spot, plus or minus, but you may be able to try a SBF lifter or similar.
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Hmmm, Comp 310203116 SBF DLC ( Diamond Like Carbon) lifters look like they could be the answer dimensionally. My cam grinder says there is still a hard surface in the original Ford FE cam after grinding. Now the big question: is Comp´s DLC lifter compatible with the OEM cast iron Ford FE reground cam.There seems to be mixed opinions,is DLC is only good for steel cams ?
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DLC coatings are certainly compatible with iron. The cheap Comps are nothing like the high end DLC, but admittedly I haven't used either.
However, despite Comp's lead tech guy loving them for hydraulics, the consensus is that the thin DLC coating on the Comp lifter may not like lash.
Can you share a pic of what you got?
DSC sells a "shell" lifter with what seems to have a high oil band
https://www.dscmotorsports.com/Cylinder/index.htm
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Gentlemen, problem solved...sorta..after careful remeasuring - there is still approximately 0,08" support from the bottom part of the lifter in the bore at 0 lift. Trust that is enough.Thanks for everybodys´s input.