Excess flat tappet cam wear was a topic in the June Hot Rod Magazine. This seems to be a relatively new rash of failures. But in typical politically correct form they just threw out a bunch of possibilities but no clear direction. The list of possibilities included recent (since 2000) influx of import tappets with poor crown, poor metalurgy, etc. But the main theme was the reduction in phos and zinc in the additives of catalyst friendly modern oils. Granted the lube needs of a roller tappet/cam are different but it's still very very high loading on the cam.
So does anybody know the real scoop so that us drivers of older nostalgic cars with the flat tappets can treat our babies right?
So does anybody know the real scoop so that us drivers of older nostalgic cars with the flat tappets can treat our babies right?