Question for the experts. I have an excellent old crane hi intensity cam, 500 lift, 228/232 @ .50. This came out of my 455 , all lifters put in order etc. I am thinking of using it in a 400e block with a set of new 921 lifters. My question is the following. The cam obviously was used with 842 lifters in my 455. Would it be wise to use it with new lifters but the bigger earlier 921 lifters of a 66 400 engine? Any issues with that?

 

Go for it.

 

So you know 100% there is no issue with this?

 

99.9%. Something can always go wrong.

Larger lifters can accommodate more aggressive ramps. So using a super fancy race cam designed for 1" lifters with a 842 lifter will probably fail because the lifter will dig into the ramp. But using larger lifters on a cam designed for smaller lifters is totally OK. I don't think any common Olds cam has anything special for the earlier larger lifters except for the 45 degree bank angle blocks - that completely changes the relationship between the banks of lobes so needs a completely different grind (probably a completely different core in most cases). But lifter size is never a relevant detail.

 

‘Thank you..

 

Andy, make sure the new lifters are well lubed on the contact face with cam lube. Be sure that the lifters all rotate when you turn the camshaft. Follow all the steps for breaking in a new cam/lifter combo. Use break-in oil that has low or no detergents that would wash away the cam lube. If there are no damaged lobes on that used camshaft, you should be okay.

 

Thanks, I talked to Mark At cutlass efi as I was going to have him get me a hydraulic roller set up to avoid any issues with flat tappet failure. he told me he can’t get a roller set up for the 921 lifter 400 E block. So that’s why I’m going around. I’m gonna go. Yeah I think I’ll just go ahead and order some lifters from top line Johnson high lift. They don’t give them away. They’re $480 a set for those 921s, then this fall and pull it apart and do all the right procedures and hope the best.. I put a new hydraulic cam in my 70 W30 and didn’t have any problems. I used Johnson highlift lifters, Brad Penn 30 weight break in oil and of course did the lube on the lifters in the lobes like you’re supposed to. Thing is make damn sure the thing starts right up which mine start up on the second rotation that’s the key I think in lotta ways

 

There is no way on earth I would use a used cam period. Only possible exception is if I was freshening up an engine and everything was going back in the same spot it came out of.

Used cam with new lifters ...... forget it

 

Why? Its done all the time..I have known people to do it many times, I have read countless articles from professionals on it being a no issue as long as you use new lifters and the cam is in great shape. Only reason I posted was because of the difference in lifter sizes..I wasn’t sure how that would affect it. My reason isn’t because I can’t afford a new cam, it’s simply in my mind an older cam from the mid 80’s with 4000 miles is probably a better quality metal than a new one. Heck, maybe I am wrong, I don’t know.

 

Given the cost of .921 lifters, I would go ahead and get the best grind for my use in a new camshaft.

 

You’re probably right, i just need to get Cutlassefi to order me a set of lifter cam combo. He builds so many Olds he will know what is best.