[Zerocyde]

Basically, I had the hydraulic flat tappet thumpr cam. (smallest, not mutha, etc.) Here are the specs for it.

What should I look for in a non-thumpr cam to offer close to equal power as what I have now? Just make sure it has the same lift duration?

FYI It's a 350 sbc basically stock but with upgraded aluminium heads, edelbrock air gap intake, and holley 650 dp.

[33Willys77]

Are you saying the cam lobe wore off the cam?

[vinniekq2]

110941-11 CL110941-11 279 279 225 225 .465 .465 111 108 Hyd. Hyd. 1
1500-5600 Fair idle, Strong mid-range performance.
or step up to

113215-10 CL113215-10 270 278 217 225 .495 .500 110 106 Hyd. Hyd. 1,2
1300-5500 Good idle, Street Performance. Strong lower mid range. Stock converter OK.
depends on money
second choice here would be nice and idle better,but make more power

[Northern Chevy]

Thats what I keep fearing although maybe unfounded but to have a wreck with a flat tappet cam rather then going the roller way. I assume you've been looking in the Comp catalog online and go to page 170 where it mentions getting a cam nitrided which will hopefully help with a cam starting the wear process and wiping a lobe. Worth asking about anyway.

[JeffB]

Originally Posted by Zerocyde

Basically, I had the hydraulic flat tappet thumpr cam. (smallest, not mutha, etc.) Here are the specs for it.

What should I look for in a non-thumpr cam to offer close to equal power as what I have now? Just make sure it has the same lift duration?

FYI It's a 350 sbc basically stock but with upgraded aluminium heads, edelbrock air gap intake, and holley 650 dp.

Howard has been known for a harder surface core this should be a good match: Howards Cams Hydraulic Flat Tappet Camshaft and Lifter Kits CL110041-12 - SummitRacing.com

[Zerocyde]

Originally Posted by 33Willys77

Are you saying the cam lobe wore off the cam?

Yes. Noticed a ticking and saw that one rocker wasn't moving as far as the rest. Pulled the lifter out and it was beat to hell and domed. Looked down at the cam and that lob was basically gone.

Thanks for the good suggestions, guys. All I want is a cam that will (at least) match the power that I got from the thumpr, but without the whole "give up driveability for a cool sound" aspect.

[S10xGN]

It's prolly gonna be more about what oil and additives you're using than just replacing the cam. If you don't have enough zinc, ZDDP, phosphorus, etc in your oil, the new cam will meet the same fate as the current one.

Russ

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by Zerocyde

Yes. Noticed a ticking and saw that one rocker wasn't moving as far as the rest. Pulled the lifter out and it was beat to hell and domed. Looked down at the cam and that lob was basically gone.

Thanks for the good suggestions, guys. All I want is a cam that will (at least) match the power that I got from the thumpr, but without the whole "give up driveability for a cool sound" aspect.

Below are a couple pages w/info that should help you have a successful cam break in. If you don't read anything else, be sure to check out the first page listed. Good luck.
• Cam break in
• Adjusting hydraulic lifters
• Valve train points to check
• Valve train geometry
• Valve spring installed height

[Zerocyde]

Originally Posted by cobalt327

Below are a couple pages w/info that should help you have a successful cam break in. If you don't read anything else, be sure to check out the first page listed. Good luck.
• Cam break in
• Adjusting hydraulic lifters
• Valve train points to check
• Valve train geometry
• Valve spring installed height

I had the cam for 3 years before the lobe wiped. I thought cam break-ins were only like 200 miles...

[vinniekq2]

why not upgrade to a small roller hydraulic like I posted?make more power with a much nicer idle

[33Willys77]

I had a roller lifter arm break and the lifter spun and took out the roller and cam. All that metal went into the motor and chewed the bearings and pump up. Take a close look and do not just throw in a new cam. You might want to consider a rebuild!

[F-BIRD'88]

Change to a Isky 270H Mega cam. Isky #201271
The idle won;t be quite as rough. Lots of power.

Be sure your lifter bores a re free of burr edges especially on the bottom edge of the bore.
The lifters must be able to spin in their bores or the cam will fail.
minor bore honing many be required.
best to pull the pan and wash everythng out after a cam lobe failure.
The Isky cams are high quality.
ISKY Racing Cams - Do It Right. Race with the Legend. Camshafts, Connecting Rods, Valve Springs, Lifters This Isky 270H mega cam is available in various versions, dual pattern, different LSA etc

I use GM EOS and this stuff
Molyslip Canada Inc. :: Molybdenum Lubricants, Performance Lubricants, Copaslip Anti-Seize, EP2 Grease, Wear Reducing Lubricants, Oil Additive E oil suplement in the oil to aid cam break in and avoid scuffing

[cobalt327]

Originally Posted by Zerocyde

I had the cam for 3 years before the lobe wiped. I thought cam break-ins were only like 200 miles...

Generally the cam is broken in for at least 20 minutes w/the engine at or above 2000 rpm, varying the rpm, w/o idling. So it's not really a matter of how many miles, unless you're able to meet the above criteria while driving the vehicle. Which isn't recommended.

The oil that is available from gas stations and parts stores is not generally going to have the additives present that are needed to keep a performance flat tappet cam and lifters from wearing at an increased rate. Using an oil specifically formulated for flat tappet performance engines, or adding ZDDPlus (or other similar additives) to OTC motor oil will help in this regard.

[Northern Chevy]

33Willys, I assume that was a retrofit style roller set then and what brand and model type were they as I know with roller cams a lot of mix and match can be done so one brand cam with another brand roller lifter and even used rollers for that matter.

[33Willys77]

They were an old style. It was more like sprung steel in an arch that held the 2 together. One little tab broke on it and it turned. Very costly when it happens to a 392 Hemi - solid roller too.