Not Ranked
Yes, I think you can begin to lose control without seeing the symptoms that we usually associate with valve float -- the brutal drop of power on a dyno sheet, the "rev-limiter" sound, etc.
I had a 445ci Windsor on the dyno last year that had a really aggressive hydraulic roller camshaft in it. Even with 150/410 lb springs, titanium retainers, etc., it was sounding really "flat" on the top end, at around 6500 rpm. I later disassembled that engine and saw the tell-tale "X" pattern on the top of the valve stem, where the valve/spring/etc was starting to rotate. Were the valves hanging open? I don't think so...but you could tell that it didn't sound sharp up top.
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