Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Posting-Version: version B 2.10.2 (Tek) 9/28/84 based on 9/17/84; site tekig1.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!burl!ulysses!allegra!bellcore!decvax!tektronix!tekig1!rickb From: rickb@tekig1.UUCP (Rick Bensene) Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Re: Camless valve operation Message-ID: <1816@tekig1.UUCP> Date: Fri, 11-Jan-85 14:14:01 EST Article-I.D.: tekig1.1816 Posted: Fri Jan 11 14:14:01 1985 Date-Received: Sun, 13-Jan-85 08:12:08 EST References: <6848@watdaisy.UUCP> <821@ariel.UUCP> <2453@tekig.UUCP> Distribution: net Organization: Tektronix, Beaverton OR Lines: 59 > > > Recently I've seen an advertisement for a slightly > modified hydraulic lifter that enables the use of a > higher performance camshaft and still retain some decent > low end manners. These lifters had a small groove machined down > the side of the inner sleeve. Its purpose was to keep the > lifter from pumping up fully until a higher rpm. This keeps the > overall valve lift and duration down a little until there > is sufficient rpm to keep the lifter full and at maximum lift. > > Claims include smoother low end running while maintaining high > end performance of "hot" cams. Anyone ever try any of these?? > I think a set was $89. > > > tektronix!tekig!david The lifters mentioned in he above article are available from Rhoads. Rhoads has been manufacturing these lifters for quite a few years, and many hot rodders have found them to the best thing since Nitrous Oxide! The Rhoads lifters take a radical cam grind, and transform it into an economical, smooth running, high-bottom end torque grind at low RPM ranges. However, once the RPM's climb, the lifters begin to pump up, and the radical grind of the camshaft becomes apparent in increased top end power. A friend had a 1969 Camaro with a heavily modified LS-6 454. The cam had a very wild grind. It would not idle at anything below around 2000 RPM, and even then, the "idle" would shake the car. This made the car very difficult for street driving (mind you, this was NOT a racecar). After getting tired of either turning over the tires at every light to get away because of the high idle, or having to literally slip the clutch to death to make a "smooth" start, he decided to try a set of Rhoads lifters. I believe the set cost him around $90 or so. The difference was very impressive. The engine would idle fairly smoothly at around 1100 RPM. There was still a little lope, and the engine still sounded real healthy, but it's low-end manners were drastically improved. Bottom-end torque increased dramatically, and the top end suffered little, if at all. Rhoads lifters are *hydraulic* lifters... if your cam is ground for solid lifters, it would probably not work too well if you put Rhoads lifters in in place of the solids. If you've got a hot hydraulic grind cam, Rhoads lifters are the way to go. If you're looking for Rhoads lifters, I believe that they are sold DIRECT from Rhoads. You can find ads for them in the back of any good hot-rod type magazine, such as HOT ROD, CAR CRAFT, SUPER CHEVY, or the like. Rick Bensene ..tektronix!tekig1!rickb Phone: Weekdays: (503) 627-3559 BBS (24 hours): (503) 254-0458 USnail: Rick Bensene/Tektronix, Inc./Mail Stop 39-170/P.O. Box 500/Beaverton, Oregon/97077 Baseball, Hot-Dogs, Apple Pie, and CHEVROLET!