[Healeys] 100 lifters

Thu Aug 12 10:32:28 MDT 2021

For those who may still be following this thread the Buick lifters weigh 78
gm and the standard Austin Healey100 ones 122 gm.
Of course the additional weight of the longer pushrods must be added to the
Buick weight to get a true picture and that is 21 gm for the sets I have.
Obviously the reduction in reciprocating weight is around 23 gm.
For those interested I'm considering several options.

   1. Having the cam and lifters reground and reground and re heat treated.
   2. Using the Buick lifters and pushrods but installing slightly lower
   load valve springs. My logic is that I have never run this engine up to
   anything like valve bounce, in fact I've never heard valve bounce in a 100
   engine, so decreasing the seat pressure a little should not present a
   problem.
   3. Installing roller lifters and cam. Probably not going to fly because
   of the prohibitive cost and not much information available on durability.
   4. Very radical but having a set of silicon nitride capped lifters made.
   I have done considerable research into this option and, although it is very
   expensive and somewhat experimental, the results reported by those who have
   been using such lifters are very good, actually phenomenal. ( I should
   mention that some of the earlier silicone nitride capped lifters failed
   with disastrous results).

Although option 4. will probably cost something around $1K my logic is that
this is the second time this failure has happened to me so with the cost
engine rebuilds today the $1K may be good insurance. I have a friend who
races a very competitive mini who has been using a set of silicon nitride
tipped lifters for several years and despite numerous engine failures has
never experienced a cam lobe or lifter failure.

I'm interested in anyone's constructive input.
M

On Mon, Aug 9, 2021 at 8:13 AM Perry Small via Healeys <
healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:

> I think the real difference between the bucket lifters and the stock units
> is the actual weight of the lifters.
>
> There may be some impact on lifter bore wear due to the side loads of the
> pushrods at a higher contact point on stock lifters compared to the bucket
> type but is probably minimal. Was that vague enough?
> P
>
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On Aug 9, 2021, at 7:36 AM, Michael Oritt <michael.oritt at gmail.com> wrote:
>
> 
> Bob--
>
> I should have added that this incident coincided with a recent lowering by
> DOT of lead and zinc contents and what might have been fine a year
> earlier was no longer sufficient to protect the new cam and lifters.  I'll
> certainly plead guilty to the sometimes-specious thinking that "more is
> better", but on the other hand "less" is sometimes not enough, and therein
> lies the dilemma.
>
> Best--Michael Oritt
>
> On Sun, Aug 8, 2021 at 11:00 PM Bob Spidell via Healeys <
> healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:
>
>> Subject to debate. The literature I've seen from the oil companies stress
>> that their products are carefully formulated, and adding anything to them
>> is not a good idea. Also, ZDDP was first used as a detergent, with its wear
>> surface protection a surprising side-effect (like how tetra-ethyl lead was
>> added to gas to increase octane rating, and its cushioning and protecting
>> of valve seats was a side-effect). But, it's human nature to think "If a
>> little of this is good, a lot HAS to be better," but it's not necessarily
>> true. ZDDP is corrosive in high concentrations; the 'sweet spot' appears to
>> be about 1,500PPM.
>>
>> Ordinarily, I'd attribute Michael's failed lifters (cam?) to improper
>> break-in, but I'm sure M used proper procedures, which makes this doubly
>> mysterious and concerning. I don't know how bucket lifters would change the
>> outcome; their main benefit seems to be reduced wear of the block.
>>
>>
>> On 8/8/2021 6:19 PM, i erbs via Healeys wrote:
>>
>> Good practice
>>
>> Ira Erbs
>> 1959 AH 100-6
>> 1967 MGB
>> Milwaukie, OR
>>
>> On Sun, Aug 8, 2021, 6:09 PM Alan Seigrist <healey.nut at gmail.com> wrote:
>>
>>> So adding zddp on top of whatever is in there is okay?  I have Castrol
>>> 20W-50 in my motor... also use the Valvoline too.
>>>
>>> On Sat, Aug 7, 2021 at 11:11 PM Michael Oritt via Healeys <
>>> healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:
>>>
>>>> In about 2007 just before ZDDP content in motor oils became a commonly
>>>> talked-about issue in vintage racing communities, I bought a new race
>>>> engine for my MGA-powered Elva Courier from a reputable builder who
>>>> recommended I use Mobil 1.  Somewhere during the first race weekend
>>>> performance fell off and upon disassembly it was determined that the cam
>>>> lobes had been damaged due to wear from the lifters.
>>>>
>>>> After replacing the cam and lifters I began using RP racing oil and
>>>> throwing in ZDDP additive for good measure.  Though the Royal Purple
>>>> probably contained sufficient zddp on its own and some folks
>>>> cautioned against too high levels of zinc I have  continued this
>>>> combination and have not lost a cam, etc. since.
>>>>
>>>> YMMV....
>>>>
>>>> On Thu, Aug 5, 2021 at 11:16 PM Michael Salter <michaelsalter at gmail.com>
>>>> wrote:
>>>>
>>>>> The first sign of problems was having to adjust the tappets which had
>>>>> initially been silent after 2000 miles and then again at 4500.
>>>>> After adjusting they were still audible and had previously been silent.
>>>>> Then at the 2000 and 4000 mile oil changes there was "fir" in the
>>>>> drain plug magnet.
>>>>> I'm very disappointed to have destroyed a very low mileage "M" cam and
>>>>> a set of NOS lifters that I had been saving for decades.
>>>>> I'm seriously considering having silicon nitride lifters manufactured
>>>>> but at over $1000 a set its a serious investment.
>>>>>
>>>>> M
>>>>>
>>>>> On Wed., Aug. 4, 2021, 10:47 a.m. Steven Kingsbury, <
>>>>> airtightproductions at icloud.com> wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>>> I just rebuilt my 100 engine and purchased my lifters from AH Spares
>>>>>> in the UK. These were their new design for better oil flow. I now have 1000
>>>>>> miles or so on the new engine and once I got my problems figured out with
>>>>>> my distributor, the car is running well and smooth.
>>>>>>    Now I'm wondering when the other shoe is going to drop! What
>>>>>> problems did you have pointing you to the lifters as the source of those
>>>>>> problems? When I retorqued the head, I readjusted the rockers and found no
>>>>>> problems. They were a little off, but I expected a little.
>>>>>>    What should I be looking for? I used Driven Break In oil and then
>>>>>> I switched to VR1 like you after 500 miles. I have been driving the car to
>>>>>> build up some trust in it and it's turning in to a joy to drive. I've got M
>>>>>> mods on this engine, cam, H6 carbs, M pistons and these new lifters. So
>>>>>> far, so good.
>>>>>>    Thanks for your help,
>>>>>> Steven Kingsbury
>>>>>> BN1
>>>>>>
>>>>>> On August 3, 2021 at 5:19 PM, Michael Salter via Healeys <
>>>>>> healeys at autox.team.net> wrote:
>>>>>>
>>>>>> After only 6000 miles the NOS BMC lifters that I installed in my
>>>>>> engine with a very low mileage "M" cam have started to deteriorate.
>>>>>> This engine has had a steady diet of VR1 non synthetic and it has had
>>>>>> 4 changes in 6K miles.
>>>>>> Very disappointing.
>>>>>> I'm  considering trying bucket type Buick lifters with longer push
>>>>>> rods and a new cam.
>>>>>> Does anyone have experience with the durability of the old Buick
>>>>>> lifters ... getting a little desperate here.
>>>>>> Fortunately I caught this issue before it ruined the engine.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> M
>>>>>>
>>>>>>
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>
> --
> Best--Michael
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