Any Valvoline users running solid flat tappets?

[blykins]

Shoot, what doesn't it stand for? LOL

[Ant]

Schaeffer 705 20/50 semi synthetic oil might be worth a look, it has high zinc and Phos similar to Delo 400, apparently it is good for high performance road cars, has micron moly additive in it as well. Even Amsoil dont seem to bag Schaeffer oil in their tests.

I think Rotella has reduced the amount of zinc but Chevron delo400 15/40 is still the same according to coy reps, which is what I am using initially, but will go onto Schaeffer semi/syn for racing.

Penrite HPR30 has very high zinc etc is semi synthetic aussie made oil, which should be available in the US, the 20/60 weight doesnt do a lot for me as we are colder down here in NZ.

Pennzoil racing 20/50 hasnt as high a zinc/phos rating as the oils I have mentioned but it probably has enough protection.

[bobcowan]

I found this statement on the Schaeffer web site:

"SAE 5W-40 (diesel engines, including low emission certified engines and diesel engines equipped with EGR and DPF systems)......."

That means it is a CJ oil, and not CI. The CI has about 25% less ZDDP. If you have flat tappets, don't use this oil alone.

[lovehamr]

Originally Posted by patrickt

Yeah, yeah, yeah. That's all in the past-tense. What have you done for us lately?

He told you hosers to go with a roller!

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by lovehamr

He told you hosers to go with a roller!

Exactly. Just another repetition of his same tired out dogma.

[blykins]

You need to step into the 21st century Patty....flat tappet cams are antiquated.

When you start building motors for customers then you can come back and tell me how you feel about flat tappet cams.

It's all too easy for someone to buy a perfectly good engine, take it home, break in the cam unsuccessfully, then ruin an engine builder's reputation on internet forums. No thanks.

There are two handfulls of engine builders on Club Cobra. Ask them which they prefer.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

There are two handfulls of engine builders on Club Cobra. Ask them which they prefer.

You miss the point. It's not what the engine builder wants, it's what the customer wants.

[blykins]

So the customer doesn't want 40 extra hp?

I'll tell you the truth. If a customer wanted a flat tappet cam, I'd pass them off.

Tell me, what are the selling points of a flat tappet cam? Would you risk a failure and lose horsepower just for a clackety clack noise? Please.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

So the customer doesn't want 40 extra hp?

I'll tell you the truth. If a customer wanted a flat tappet cam, I'd pass them off.

You've gone on record before saying you would not install a solid flat tappet for a customer even if he specifically requested it with full understanding of the dangers of the break-in. Have you changed your position on that?

[blykins]

Yeah, it's not worth the hassle for me. A wiped cam can mean a trashed engine. Even if the customer gave me full understanding, it would still kill me.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

Yeah, it's not worth the hassle for me. A wiped cam can mean a trashed engine. Even if the customer gave me full understanding, it would still kill me.

But if the customer understands that, is willing to assume the risk, and wants it, why won't you give the customer what he wants? Your penalizing a paying customer because of your fear of failure.

[blykins]

Say it however you want Patrick. You do whatever you need to do to make you feel better about yourself, your antiquated engine components, and your $1000 Centerforce flywheel.

Most customers would understand the benefit in spending a little extra money, especially on an $8k-10k engine.

BTW, you never did answer my question.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

BTW, you never did answer my question.

Extra horsepower is nice, but I wouldn't trade my solid flat tappet for an extra 25 or even 50 horsepower if it meant losing my SFT. Now suppose I came to you and said "Brent, I have a side oiler block and I want you to bore and stroke it to these specs" and then I give you a bore value that we both know is deep in to the danger zone. And I say "Brent, just build it... I'll assume all the risk of it breaking." You wouldn't build it for me?

[blykins]

You still didn't answer my question. What are the pluses of a flat tappet cam?

Here's how I would handle your scenario:

I would sonic test the block, present the results to the customer, and if in my opinion I thought it would cause problems by boring it to the customer's spec, then I would tell the customer that. If they still insisted, then they can take it to another builder.

You know why? Because I don't trust anyone's words.....even if they "say" they'll assume all risk. Who's to say that the customer wouldn't turn tail and then blab all over the internet that his engine builder screwed up his $3k side oiler block?

Again, it's not worth it. I don't need the money that bad.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

You know why? Because I don't trust anyone's words.....even if they "say" they'll assume all risk. Who's to say that the customer wouldn't turn tail and then blab all over the internet that his engine builder screwed up his $3k side oiler block?

Again, it's not worth it. I don't need the money that bad.

What if I tell you that I will video tape myself telling you that I understand it's a dangerous bore, you advise against it, you don't think it will work, and that I assume 100% of the risk, AND I pay you triple your normal shop rate. You still won't build it for me even after all that?

[blykins]

If a customer offered to do all of that, then I would know that they were mentally unstable.

BTW, I'm still waiting for an answer.

Have a nice night Patrick....headed to bed shortly. You all know that I desperately need my beauty sleep.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by blykins

If a customer offered to do all of that, then I would know that they were mentally unstable.

BTW, I'm still waiting for an answer.

Have a nice night Patrick....headed to bed shortly. You all know that I desperately need my beauty sleep.

Well, your position makes no sense to me whatsoever. But to answer your question, the jury is still out on the longevity of the solid roller in an FE. But, be that as it may, if a customer wants a SFT then that fact alone makes it superior to other cams... because it's what the customer wants -- just like a funky paint color.

[ERA Chas]

Originally Posted by blykins

I would sonic test the block, present the results to the customer, and if in my opinion I thought it would cause problems by boring it to the customer's spec, then I would tell the customer that. If they still insisted, then they can take it to another builder.

Brent-don't strain your milk. That's perfectly stated and it is your business. Keith, Barry, Tom, George, Mike and the other quality builders would not risk some hammer head posting on the web "Hey didja hear about the motor that ----built for Patrick that ate itself??"

Pat's just wearing his dickhat tonight...

[blykins]

Understood.

Y'all have a nice night.

[patrickt]

Originally Posted by ERA Chas

Pat's just wearing his dickhat tonight...

Now Chas., what kind of thing is that to say?