Ferrea LF 1003 Solid Flat Tappet Lifters

[rockhouse66]

Anyone have experience, good or bad, with these lifters?  Says "lightweight".  My postage scale says 66 grams (2.3 oz.).  Is that light?

[GerryP]

It is light.  But weight in the lifter and pushrod are somewhat irrelevant from a performance perspective.  Yes, I know it seems absurd since you're moving mass around but performance comes from the valve side.  So light valves and retainers are worth the money if you're chasing higher levels of performance.  What you want your focus to be at the rocker and down to the cam are durability.

[plovett]

It is light.  But weight in the lifter and pushrod are somewhat irrelevant from a performance perspective.  Yes, I know it seems absurd since you're moving mass around but performance comes from the valve side.  So light valves and retainers are worth the money if you're chasing higher levels of performance.  What you want your focus to be at the rocker and down to the cam are durability.

Perfect answer, in my opinion.

paulie

[rockhouse66]

l understand what you are saying.  I have had these lifters for a long time and now have an opportunity to use them.  I was wondering if someone has specific experience that would suggest I shouldn't.  Always concerned about flat tappet cam break-in these days

[My427stang]

Ferrea makes good parts, no experience with their lifters, but if I had them, I'd use them.

Could call them and ask about material compatibility, but their other stuff is real good, those should be too.  Standard warnings, be sure they are free in the holes, no binding of valve train, springs right, etc

[CaptCobrajet]

I used those lifters when they first came out probably 10+ years ago.  Nothing bad to say.  We were testing three cams and I broke three cams in on the same set.  NOT recommended to do that of course, but I didn't want to buy three sets of those! We didn't lose any of them.  I ended up going with the first cam when the smoke cleared, and put the lifters back on it.  No trouble.  The tool steel should be compatible with a cast iron core with no coating.  It is a good idea to request extra taper on the lobes.  If you have a new cam already,  consider breaking in with very light springs. JMO.

[rockhouse66]

Thanks Blair.  I think I got these in a parts lot I bought and when I looked them up I was surprised to see them at about $400 for the set.  I had not heard about "extra taper" until you or maybe Brent mentioned it in a recent post.  Sounds like a good idea to ensure the lifters spin.