I went to bushed several years ago in my engine and will never have another needle bearing in my engines again.

One chewed up lifter that throws crap behind the piston skirts, and runs metal through the engine, and you could have bought several sets of lifters....

I've been using Isky Red Zone .904's in my 582 (360# seat pressure, .800+ lift Bullet cam). The T&D lash never varied even after 300+ runs. Not a lazy person, I check the valve lash frequently and very carefully check the springs and retainers.

I was advised to use a multi grade (10W-40 in the Summer and 10W-30 in colder weather) oil due to the tight fitting bushings . Never been a fan of a single grade heavy oil but I run gas not alky.

Bob

Emailed Crower for quotes on rebuilding my 903's, needle bearing HPPO's. Straight rebuild is just under $600, upgrade to bushings is about $75 more.

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Originally posted by Busted Knuckles:
Emailed Crower for quotes on rebuilding my 903's, needle bearing HPPO's. Straight rebuild is just under $600, upgrade to bushings is about $75 more.

That's good to know. I'm putting together another 468 to replace the current one, and I have a bunch of used needle bearing HiPPO lifters around. Thanks!

Ah, man. I was going to not freshen or do anything to my engine this off-season. Everything is fine about it, although it is approaching 300 passes since last refreshed. But I do have Comp needle bearing lifters. They have 282 runs, lash has remained rock solid all year, and I was hoping to get through next season. But now I am nervously wondering about them after reading some of the comments here.

I have 113 runs on my .937 BAM DLC lifters. They look good and roll good at this point. My rockers are off to T&D for service at this point also. I'll run the lifters through 2024 and probably send them in for inspection. So far so good!

I've been sending my Crowers in for rebuild and the cost was never more than about $250 a set. Both sets I have now have been done twice, and it was recommended to me not to go beyond that. Bob at MadCap made me a deal on the BAM DLC lifters, so I have those now for my new build. Keeping the Crowers as spares just in case....

We use Crower bushing lifters in the BBC's and last time I asked them about it they said many sets come after 1000 runs and are perfect. And yea, check lash every couple of weeks.

Crower's needle bearing rebuild on the 842's is right at $400, upgrade to bushings is $525.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Busted Knuckles,

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Here’s my first question… At what point in a needed valve adjustment would one suspect that the needle bearings are failing?

Two consecutive adjustments required in a row (or close there to).

Iskys for years, Used a lot in offshore stuff. Drag race 300-350 runs then rebuild. 202-96RH .842 they were like 16 bucks each to rebuild.
Last engine got some Crower .904 hppo style new. Not enough runs to know at this point.
I never let the engines sit and idle to warm up, I changed the oil about when the oil smelled gassy. Yeah scientific.
Kept up on valve springs also.

440 SBC 790 HP turning 7600 every pass and i have 4 years on a set of the BAM DLK steel on steel .904s with 180 offset intakes and around 1400 passes at 800 lift with no issues. I plan on running them next year. I mite check lash 3 times a year. I’m thinking about buying an intake/exhaust for a spare just in case i have an issue at the track. What I've seen with guys putting 12-1500 passes on a spread port BBC i wouldn't think twice about running them to 2000 passes on a SBC. My 12 Degree BBC with Isky or Crowley i was Lucky to get 450 passes.

Since we are discussing roller lifter maintenance I have always wondered if anyone has data relating to when the camshaft profile (lift/duration/acceleration/deceleration rate) dictates using a larger roller lifter.

Example for a big block Chevy would be at what point do you change from a .842 to a .904 or to a .937 ? I imagine that at some point the weight of the lifter also becomes a factor.

Just curious

Bob