What do you say about replacing 455 camshaft without a full engine rebuild. I got a nice stock 455 hydraulic flat tappet cam and was planning to replace it with an JM18-20 cam and lifters. Instead of a cast iron manifold it will get a new to me used Edel, dual plane aluminum manifold. The motor runs well without any issues. I found a set of OEM steel head gaskets and replacing the stock style heads with M&J "C" ported, exhaust-carb port filled, centre exhaust brazed level, heads with Harland Sharp 5001 rockers, to be used through W-Z exhaust manifolds. It will be my warm weather project in the spring. It has good oil pressure before being touched.
Thanks
joepenoso

 

If the engine is in good shape go for it. Make sure you use lots of "camshaft sauce", engine oil with zinc (Shell Rotella or break in oil preferably) and make sure the engine starts quickly without excessive cranking.

 

Rotell still has what hydraulic camshafts need to be broken in?
Thanks
Stan

 

Uh, as far as I know! Maybe things have changed. I hope not, thats what I have been using.

 

Unfortunately, even Rotalla now has reduced zinc. Consider one of the oil additives for flat tappet cam break-in.

 

Any proven suggestions for flat tappet break in aside of that vaseline type stuff you rub on the lobes
joepenoso

 

And the diesel oils have too much detergent in them, most cam companies don't endorse them anymore.

Royal Purple, Comp, Edelbrock, Brad Penn, Joe Gibbs all make great break-in oils/additives, take your pick.

 

Still use the heavy assembly lube and break in oil. New chain and gears. If you have the heads off I would mic the bore or get someone to do it. It will give you an idea of the cylinder wear and how much you will want to bore when you do tear into the shortblock. Before and after compression check is also a good idea.

 

Personally if you have no other issues, just change out cam and lifters. No need to overhaul and spend big bucks if you don't have to.

 

Thanks to everyone
All the advice was listened to
i will go and replace the parts and mike the bore when apart to see what condition the pistons are in.I also know what break in oils to use.
joepenoso

 

I always run valvoline racing oil with one of those little tubes of zinc additive. thats what comp told me to do when I ordered my cam. If you get a cam and lifter set, they have the bottle of red gel that you dump into the oil, its like part # 159 or something? i cant remember, but they say use 1 of those for initial break in, change oil, and 1 more for 500 miles after. just my .02 cents!