How Many U.S. Based Hydraulic Tappet Manufacturers Exist Today, and Which Makes the Best Buy?

[DirkRhodie]

Those are 67 and down pushrods,, most people upgrade to 68+. But if you need em I would try Smith brothers

Thanks the issue is as far as I know if I changed to 68+ I would also have to change the lifters and as I reside is South Africa spare are expensive and hard to get unless I import them.
But thanks for the tip.

 

[RemCharger]

Thanks the issue is as far as I know if I changed to 68+ I would also have to change the lifters and as I reside is South Africa spare are expensive and hard to get unless I import them.
But thanks for the tip.

Oops didn't look at your location. Ya that puts a spin on it

 

[66fs]

Have not looked at my '77 305 that's been on my engine stand since we pulled it out with 525k miles on it. Cam was upgraded at 92k. No issues with the OEM cam and lifters. The reason we swapped it was due to all of the core plugs in the block were leaking coolant. No issues with anything cam-related, after 408k miles. The cam upgrade was to an aftermarket cam and my machine shop operative sourced the lifters from what he used in the machine shop (with no comebacks or similar).

I have seen the concave lifters you mention, even one with a hole in the bottom. All it caused was a lifter tick that could not be adjusted out. A new lifter fixed it.

Just my experiences,
CBODY67

Wow, almost unbelievable. In my experience, a small block Chevy had so much blowby at 30,000 miles it was soaking the air filter with oil. You could not get them to run smooth after a tune up, like any other make including Buick, Oldsmobile, Pontiac, and Cadillac. At 70,000 miles it would throw a timing chain. They usually had an exhaust leak and at least some round cam lobes and a burnt exhaust valve or two. I was rebuilding so many or replacing them with Mexican crate motors I was giving 350 4 bolt main blocks with forged cranks away to friends. I had 2 bare blocks in the back of my Dodge pickup for weight in the winter and used the heads for door stops. Just my experience, Dan

 

[MEV]

Smith brothers pushrods, call them, tell them what you have for cam and springs and your measurements.

 

[Gerald Morris]

Smith brothers pushrods, call them, tell them what you have for cam and springs and your measurements.

Much Obliged! I see Melling still makes their 976 lifters in country, or at least on the continent. Damned pricey, but I like their other stuff. I also see Elgin runs a plant in Mexico for lifters. The big ironworks in Guadalajara turn out good steel, when watched. At least they're CAPABLE of it, unlike several billion souls across the Big Pond.