OVERKILL
$100 Site Donor 2021
I think the biggest insult is that we used to produce roller lifters in the 80's and 90's that were bulletproof. I re-used my OE 200,000 mile lifters on two different camshafts in my Mustang, they didn't bat an eye. They were made by Federal Mogul. The GM guys used to do the same thing.I guess this is why Detroit Diesel didn't go with roller bearings in their series 53, 71 and 92 engines. Reliability.
I remember reading an article, many years ago, when roller rockers were becoming popular in HO race engines. They discussed the use of roller bearings versus bushings in rockers and followers. They were also referencing their use in passenger vehicles when the use of roller followers were becoming popular. Their conclusion was for longevity, roller bearings should NEVER be deployed. Roller bearings are very sensitive to their environment. Namely the condition of the oil they run in.
I realize the problems we are experiencing are more contributed to metallurgy and hardening and I cannot understand why manufacturers can't get it right since this isn't bleeding edge technology? But, I never understood the use of roller bearings for street use. Bragging rights?
At some point in the 2000's, QC jumped the shark, likely due to offshoring, and now properly manufacturing roller lifters and roller followers is mythical voodoo that we can't get right.