[earlvettester]

I have a 1970 350 chevy s.b. and want to replace the cam with a hyd. roller for updating reasons. 4 bolt. Holley carb. Cast iron heads. 9.5:1 comp. ratio etc. Nothing too rad. Dont think todays oil lends itself to old school stuff. Should I do it?

[FmrStrtracer]

You can buy oil with the correct amount of ZDDP already in it, or add ZDDP at each oil change, to protect your camshaft.

If youre looking to increase performance with a cam change, then considering a hydraulic roller conversion is valid. You will need an entire cam kit(cam, conversion lifters, springs, retainers, locks, pushrods), a thrust button to keep the cam in place, and possibly some machine work on your heads( cut valve guide for spring clearance and smaller seals).
If your heads dont have screw in studs, you will need to pin yours or convert to screw in studs.)

You may also need to change your distributor gear, depending on the cam that you buy.

[327NUT]

I couldn't justify the cost just for the sake of having a roller cam in it. If you're rebuilding the entire engine and all of the parts are compatible.....and if you have the money......good idea.

Today's oils are better than yesterdays oils, they have just had a percentage of the zinc and phos. removed for the longevity of the modern emissions systems. There are a number of lubricants that still have the proper amount of additives to run flat tappet cams. You can do a search on this forum for the info, it has been beaten to death......numerous times.

[75gmck25]

One easy to find choice for high ZDDP oil is Mobil 1 15w50, which most parts places carry. It is marketed as a classic performance car blend, and it has the ZDDP level you need for the flat tappet cam. Just wait until they have one of their specials for 5 qts of Mobil 1 and a filter and it drops the price quite a bit.

Bruce

[bigalow]

Brad Penn Racing available at your local speed shop and its pretty reasonable plus its for Flat tappet cams. You can start a 1000 post reply on oils with zinc and just get confused. Some people will say Mobil is no good??? Brad Penn is made for Flat tappets so I use it
I have considered the roller but lots of things to fall apart and expensive plus the bronze distributor gear.
I went to a bigger flat tappet lunati and increased lift with a set of 1.6 roller rockers. 1,,2,3 and i was done and running again