COMP Cams Flat Tappet Camshaft Failures User Manual

Part #255

Revised 5/4/12

Subject: Flat Tappet Camshaft Failures (Hydraulic & Solid/Mechanical)

Recent changes in oil and engine technology are likely the cause of premature camshaft
failure; here’s how you can protect your engine!

Premature flat tappet camshaft failure has been on the rise recently and not just with one brand or
type of camshaft. In almost every case, the hardness or taper of the cam lobe is suspected, yet
most of the time that is not the problem. This growing trend is due to factors that are completely
unrelated to camshaft manufacture or quality control. Changes in today’s oil products and

“advancements” in internal engine configurations have contributed to a harsher environment for

the camshaft and a potential for failure during break-in. But there are several things you can do
to curtail this discouraging trend.

Engine Building Tips & Parts Selection

Engines are great at providing oil to every engine component except one – the camshaft.
Windage trays that limit oil’s ability to reach the cam and lifters, modification of connecting rod

side clearances for less oil splash and special oil pans further complicate both the break-in
process and camshaft lubrication in general. Careful and informed selection of your engine
components and lubricants can greatly reduce your chances of having a failure.

Lifter Selection

COMP Cams® offers flat tappet lifters (solid/mechanical) with oiling holes in the cam contact
face, which will increase oil flow to the lifter face to camshaft lobe contact point. Furthermore,
using a lifter grooving tool (COMP Cams® Part #5003 for GM engines; see catalog or website
for other engine makes) will enhance oiling throughout the camshaft and valve train. As we all
know by now, better oil flow means better initial break-in and increased camshaft durability.
Additionally, make sure you purchase only high-quality lifters from reputable sources. Most

lifters look alike, but you don’t really know where they were produced. “Imported” flat tappet

lifters often times use inferior lifter castings and DO NOT deliver the durability of COMP
Cams® high-quality, US-built lifters. COMP Cams® lifters are built to strict tolerances on the
diameter and linear dimensions and designed to fit each application with the highest level of
quality. This ensures the lifter rotates properly and decreases the potential for failure.
Additionally, COMP Cams® flat tappet lifters have the correct oil band depth, width, and
location to properly regulate the internal oiling of your engine.

Camshaft Nitriding

Nitriding is recognized by metallurgists worldwide as one of the most effective ways to increase
the case hardness and lobe surface lubricity of flat tappet cams, all in an effort to enhance both

3406 Democrat Rd. * Memphis, TN 38118

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COMP Cams®

www.compcams.com

Part #255

Revised 5/4/12

break-in and long-term durability. Pro Plasma™ Nitriding is a patented process that uses pulsed
nitrogen plasma to infuse nitrogen ions into the part – strengthening and fortifying the material
on a molecular level, through a depth of approximately 0.010 of an inch. Once again, COMP
Cams® has proven their technological leadership by becoming the first aftermarket valve train
company to own and operate a Pro Plasma™ Nitriding service in-house.

Available for any COMP Cams® flat tappet camshaft, this customer-requested service (COMP
Cams® Part #1-111-1) has been proven to deliver unmatched wear resistance and uniform case
hardness. In addition, nitrided versions of the most popular flat tappet grinds from COMP
Cams® are now on the shelf and available for quick delivery.

Lubrication

Engine Oil Selection

Another major factor in the increase of flat tappet camshaft failure is your favorite brand of

engine oil. Simply put, today’s engine oil is just not the same as it used to be, thanks to ever

tightening environmental regulations. The EPA has done a great job in reducing emissions and
the effects of some of the ingredients found in traditional oils; however these changes in the oil
have only made life tougher on your flat tappet camshaft. The lubricity of the oil and specifically
the reduction of important anti-wear additives such as zinc and phosphorus, which help break-in
and overall camshaft life, have been drastically reduced. In terms of oil selection, we recommend

oil with the proper level of “ZDDP”, Zinc Dialkyl Dithiosphosphate additive fortification.

Recent market trends and misinformation have led to a new and adverse side effect known as

“Overloading on ZDDP”. When overloading on ZDDP, the additive can actually cause blocking

of other important additives, such as friction modifiers or detergent agents. It is imperative that
the ZDDP level is carefully specified and blended to correct concentrations.

Engine Oils, Supplements, & Additives

Making certain that the camshaft and lifters are properly lubricated upon installation will
guarantee that they are protected during the critical start-up of your newly-built engine. COMP
Cams® offers the right product for this job (COMP Cams® Part #153), and it is available in
several different size containers for engine builder convenience. COMP Cams® also has a line of
Break-In Oils (COMP Cams® Part #1590 [10w30] and #1591 [15w50]) which have a
proprietary formula that includes the proper amount of critical additives, including ZDDP (Zinc
& Phosphorus), Molybdenum, detergents and high grade base oil to give you the most optimum
oil for the break-in and long-term running of all your purposefully chosen performance engine
components. If you have a preferred oil with which you feel comfortable, we strongly
recommend the use of COMP Cams® Break-In Oil Additive (COMP Cams® Part #159) during
break-in. While this additive was originally developed specifically for break-in protection,

3406 Democrat Rd. * Memphis, TN 38118

Phone: [phone] * Fax: [phone]

COMP Cams®

www.compcams.com