Why yes Tom, I do run bias tires and solid rotors, on the rear at least.
Not all of us are 'racing', and accepting the standard issue setup (from ERA in my case) helps keep costs within reason.
I run bias tires because I love the look of the Goodyear Bill Boards, as I know you do to.
As for my cam, I lost a solid roller at about 8,000 miles, which led to the rebuild of my motor. I went with flat tappet and was CAREFUL to follow a strict install/break in game plan. The cam now has 4000 miles and is working fine.
It's a fairly straight forward game plan:
Use an
oil additive, like EOS and cam lube, during breakin.
Remove the inner valve springs during breakin period.
Pre prime the
oil pump.
Make SURE the engine is ready to start up right away, avoid prolonged cranking to try to get it to start.
Bring the rpm up to 2000 and vary it from there for about 20-30 minutes. Flat tappet cams are largely 'splash fed', so the rpm MUST be held up to afford lubrication during the critical break in phase.
I put a couple of hundred miles on my engine at reasonable rpm levels before I re-installed the inner valve springs.
Comp Cam 292S, as specified by 'Gessford Machine'. Pulls well from about 2000 (even lower) and tops out around 6200, all though 6400 still feels strong.