Roller Cam or Flat Tappet Cam in a 1968 Pontiac 400

[wyldgoat65]

Looking for guidance in weather to go with a roller cam or staying with a flat tappet cam. I have a 1968 Pontiac 400 motor that just wiped out a cam and had less than 3000 mile on it. After doing quite a bit of research on the matter I am convinced that our oils that we are purchasing from our local auto parts and other stores is severely lacking in the zinc our flat tappet cam require to stay in one piece. A roller cam would solve a lot of this issue but at a great expense, one that I would be willing to pay given the problems I have had and wish to avoid. I have been reading “How to Build Max-Performance Pontiac V-8’s” written by Jim Hand, His thoughts on a roller cam basically say they are ok but probably not a good choice for a Pontiac motor. The book was written in 2002 and I wonder about the timing of the writing. Cam manufacturers have made advancements and feel there are good choices for roller cams that maybe were not available in 2002. I’m looking for info from someone that maybe has already gone down this road or can advise me of which way would be the best way to proceed with the rebuild. Currently looking at Comp Cams Thumper roller cam and lifters. Thoughts please!

[ezcruisn71]

I am in the same dilemma as you right now. I am going to build a new engine for the camaro this winter and I am having a hard time choosing to go roller or flat tappet cam?
I decided to stay with the flat tappet cam.
Buy a good name brand Camshaft and lifters.
Use a good break-in oil from Brad Penn or Valvoline Racing oil or Quaker State Racing oil. These all have a ZDDP of 1200ppm or higher. You can also buy the ZDDP additive to add to your oil.
After breaking in the Camshaft for 20 minutes above 2000rpm.
Change the oil and then refill with one of the oils that I mentioned above.
You can buy these camshafts nitrided and they will last a lot longer.
You should have good luck with the flat tappet cams if you stay with an oil with a high level of Zinc (ZDDP) additive.
I have been using Rottela T oil for my Camaro, but they are slowly lowering the Zinc levels in this oil too.
Before you break in that new camshaft make sure you remove the inner valve spring (if your engine uses dual springs) and prime the engine with oil first.
Don't think about putting a new cam and lifters in an engine that just failed a camshaft without removing the engine and doing a complete tear down and cleaning first.
That old material from the camshaft had to go some where. Most likely it went through your bearings and crankshaft and oil pump, etc...

[WMCCjames]

I'd spend the extra to go roller. I lost a couple lobes on an old 350 I had because of the oil content too.

[steddy]

If you have the funds, I'd go with roller also.

[TB2]

If this is just a mild build, the flat tappet should be fine as long as you use the addittive. The roller will free up horsepower. It also gives you many more variables in cam profiles vs a flat tappet. I went roller, and love it.

[prorac1]

I also used to use Rotella and found the same thing. I plan on running brad penn in the Valiant motor from now on. And I DO have a Roller. This lack of zink isnt just an issue for cams and lifters. Eric L