I'm referencing a small block Ford engine here. I am going to rebuild this engine and I was dead set on upgrading to a roller camshaft, nothing performance oriented, but because it's simply a feasible upgrade with perks. However, I've found a flat tappet camshaft that's a little bit above stock, but has more lift than the stock cam and I actually like the specs, plus I will still have a smooth idle.
My question is how much lift on a flat tappet cam warrants concerns about the "lower" amounts of zinc in today's oils? My goal here is to not have to buy additives or any sort of specialized high zinc motor oil. I want to use the same regular off the shelf synthetic motor oils that I have always been using. I'm able to do this with the stock flat tappet engine I have right now and I don't want to change from this off the shelf philosophy.
If it helps, these are the specs I'm looking at on that flat tappet camshaft:
.424" Intake Valve Lift
.448" Exhaust Valve Lift
.265" Intake Cam Lift
.280" Exhaust Cam Lift
270 Degree Intake Duration
280 Degree Exhaust Duration
Thoughts?
My question is how much lift on a flat tappet cam warrants concerns about the "lower" amounts of zinc in today's oils? My goal here is to not have to buy additives or any sort of specialized high zinc motor oil. I want to use the same regular off the shelf synthetic motor oils that I have always been using. I'm able to do this with the stock flat tappet engine I have right now and I don't want to change from this off the shelf philosophy.
If it helps, these are the specs I'm looking at on that flat tappet camshaft:
.424" Intake Valve Lift
.448" Exhaust Valve Lift
.265" Intake Cam Lift
.280" Exhaust Cam Lift
270 Degree Intake Duration
280 Degree Exhaust Duration
Thoughts?