Oil Pump and Rockers (Page 1/1)
Notorio DEC 31, 01:23 AM
Looking toward continuing to put my 2.8 back together I pulled out the box of Comp Cams 1.6 rockers and started reading the handout.



To my shock and dismay I saw in their 5th 'read this first' point that I may have hosed myself by choosing to install a high-volume oil pump. According to their insert this might cause the oil to overshoot the rocker and they recommend installing 'valve train oil deflectors' which I remember with no fondness from my SBC days, setting the valve lash on my hydraulic lifters with the engine running. Anyway, has anyone really found that the combination of high-volume pump and 1.6 rockers (or any rockers) leads to destruction? If so, please recommend a deflector type and source, since i have found several different kinds ...



Thanks.

[This message has been edited by Notorio (edited 12-31-2019).]

Notorio JAN 11, 05:13 PM
Sending this around one more time ...
La fiera JAN 11, 05:38 PM
O don't think you'll have a problem. I've had those rockers with a high volume oil pump in my 2.8 for years and when I took them out to replace them for the aluminum full rollers there was not any signs of blueish color on the pivot part or where the pushrod sat on any of the rockers. And I was running higher spring pressures than stock. They are actually in another running engine right now. If you are running stock or a bit higher spring pressures you'll be ok. And use a "Muscle Car" oil. Lucas makes them and they have lots of ZDDP.

[This message has been edited by La fiera (edited 01-11-2020).]

Notorio JAN 12, 11:34 AM

quote
Originally posted by La fiera:

O don't think you'll have a problem. I've had those rockers with a high volume oil pump in my 2.8 for years and when I took them out to replace them for the aluminum full rollers there was not any signs of blueish color on the pivot part or where the pushrod sat on any of the rockers. And I was running higher spring pressures than stock. They are actually in another running engine right now. If you are running stock or a bit higher spring pressures you'll be ok. And use a "Muscle Car" oil. Lucas makes them and they have lots of ZDDP.




Thank you for setting my mind at ease on this. And I'll definitely pick up that special oil to get the ZDDP.
wftb JAN 12, 11:50 AM
I used them on the 2.8 I rebuilt and they worked fine. The aftermarket cam and lifter set not so much- wore down a cam lobe in less than a 1000 miles. I decided not to spend any more money on old engines after that. But a high zinc oil is supposed to help prevent that problem.

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86 GT built 2.2 ecotec turbo
rear SLA suspension
QA1 coilovers on tube arms

Notorio JAN 12, 12:04 PM

quote
Originally posted by wftb:

I used them on the 2.8 I rebuilt and they worked fine. The aftermarket cam and lifter set not so much- wore down a cam lobe in less than a 1000 miles. I decided not to spend any more money on old engines after that. But a high zinc oil is supposed to help prevent that problem.




Just curious what the symptoms of a wearing cam lobe might be. Only 1,000 miles, what a bummer!
La fiera JAN 12, 09:23 PM

quote
Originally posted by Notorio:


Just curious what the symptoms of a wearing cam lobe might be. Only 1,000 miles, what a bummer!



The problem is that all the oils you pick up at the local store lack the suficient amount of ZDDP.
I can't stress this enough, for our engines we need a high ZDDP oil or you'll have a wiped lobe guaranteed.
These are the oils I personally use. 10w-30 in cold months and as thick as 5w-50 in hot climate. All these have plenty of protection for the flat tapped camshafts!





Simptoms of a wiped cam lobe are:
-loss of power
-erratic idle
-flakes or dark deposits if you have a magnetic drain plug.
-engine vibration

PS. I run 150lbs on the nose and 350lbs open on valve springs and as long as I've used high zinc oils I've never had a problem. Is there anybody out there using higher spring pressures than me?

[This message has been edited by La fiera (edited 01-12-2020).]

wftb JAN 12, 10:15 PM
And on a 2.8 when a lifter wears down you will get lower oil pressure. The lifter drops down and opens a hole for oil to escape from.

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86 GT built 2.2 ecotec turbo
rear SLA suspension
QA1 coilovers on tube arms