if my cam is in good shape should i reuse the old lifters or get new ones? is there any reason not to get new ones?

If you reuse the cam, put all lifters exactly where they came from. Do not get them mixed up. If you do get them mixed up, throw everything away and get a fresh start. JMHO and all that good stuff.

Cam/lifters ar relatively cheap assuming yours is a flat tappet hyd cam. Never chince out when it comes to a cam,if your doing a rbld replace the cam/lifters,it's a real drag if 10k later after you rblt the motor and it doesn't leak that you have to break it down to replace a $150.oo cam/lifters not to mention the secondary damage done to your motor from the cam lobe/lifter meatl that will be floating around in your oiling system scuffing up your rings,cyl walls,bearings,oil pump,etc,not good.

If you still decide to use the old cam you must keep the lifters in order with the correct cam lobe or you will wipe out the cam shortly after startup.

I dont recommend using new lifers on an old cam,it can work in some cases but your chances are against you that it won't.

If your bent on putting new lifters on a used (hopefully low miles cam) you should at least treat it as a new cam install using plenty of cam lube on lifters/cam,soak new lifters in motor oil prior to assembley (do not pump them up),use GM-EOS in your crankcase with 5 qts fresh oil/new filter,startup & run @ 1800-2000rpm for 20-30 mins,dump your cam breakin oil/filter and replace with new filter/oil which will give you your best shot with new lifters on a used cam. (ooohhhhhh it makes me shutter to even contemplate the thought)

Give us more details on what your doing,motor setup & intended use etc so we can give you better advice.

Scott

[This message has been edited by SWHEATON (edited 11-13-2002).]

As far as i can tell by looking at it its the original cam, i dont think the moter will be run past 10k miles after its rebuilt anyway. Before i use the cam im going to have it miked anyway, if its to far outside tolerences then ill prob go with a new cam anyway. Hopefull before 10k miles is on the moter the other will be rebuilt and ready to go in.

Yup, follow the above advise. Tip - Save 2 one dozen egg cartons (the foam kind). Mark one end of one FRONT, and put the old lifters in the correct holes. Mark the 2nd NEXT at one end and continue with the last 4 lifters.

Use plenty of lube on reassembly, and MAKE SURE they go back in their original holes on the same lobe. It'll last 10K easy.

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"Atomic Batteries to Power...Turbines to Speed"

(The Minnesota John D)

'64 El Camino
383 - TH-350 - 12bolt - 4wh pwr discs
Bedded down for the Winter.