Need custom automotive valve lifters machined

abland · Jan 24, 2013

I'm looking for someone to manufacture a set of 16 (possibly a few more) automotive valve lifters from 8620 steel, which I have. I've attached a picture of the general lifter design but will supply the exact design. Lifter height will be 1.75" with a stem diameter of 0.60" and a base diameter of 1.18". The lifter will need to be drilled and threaded at 3/8 24. The locking adjustment screw is an item I will get from a supplier.

I'm also looking for someone to machine custom valve guides out of manganese bronze.

Thanks,

Andrew

Finegrain · Jan 24, 2013

What are your expectations WRT heat-treat -- do you take care of that, or does whoever machines them take care of it?

Regards.

Mike

ewlsey · Jan 24, 2013

Surely going to be hardened and finish ground. Unless it's a VW.

abland · Jan 24, 2013

Since the camshaft will be also made from 8620, the base of the lifters will be micro polished and have a DCL coating on the base. No other hardening will be done to the lifters but I may nitride the cam.

abland · Jan 24, 2013

I will take care of the polishing, coating, and lifter base final facing.

DEKMachineINC · Jan 28, 2013

Did you get my PM?

Cory

abland · Jan 31, 2013

Thanks Cory and others that responded.

Cory, Good talking with you and I look forward with working with you on my part manufacturing.

Andrew

Dan from Oakland · Feb 2, 2013

Just a suggesstion- rethink the un heat treated 8620 for the lifters- even with the DLC coating, the cam will beat the crap out of the soft lifter.
If ya don't believe me, ask your cam grinder what he thinks of your plan.

Dan

abland · Feb 7, 2013

Hi Dan,

I have talked to my cam grinder as well as a Bonneville racer who is running with the setup I'm trying to obtain. Since the Ford Flathead engine does not have rocker arms, I run with very low spring pressure (80lbs closed, 180lbs open). If it was a rocker arm engine I would rethink having them hardened. I most likely will have them nitrided.

Andrew

Froneck · Feb 8, 2013

If you need someone else I can make them, have no problem with manganese bronze, Why that bronze? It tough and strong but not bearing quality. Have you thought of half hard 4140 for the lifters?

Frank

Dan from Oakland · Feb 12, 2013

Andrew- good luck with your project. If you get to the salt, look us up- we hold the V4 Fuel Lakester record at 197mph. #221 Liberty Garage Special. Dan

BrianB · Apr 7, 2013

Those look very similar to the tappets I make for Deere and Cummins engines for raceing applications. I always heat treat you don't want bore wear or gauling in the block to be an issue and I want all the stregth I can get. I don't use 8620 either I do for the cam but I like more impact toughness for the lifter. Good luck with your project.

omrc7771 · Apr 7, 2013

I've built a few race engines ....we always used chilled iron lifters w/coating on the cam.Hope this works for you, let us know so we can learn. Mike

BrianB · Apr 7, 2013

In the engines I deal with Chilled iron is factory stock. With high boost and rapid cam rates to take full advantage of the lifter foot diameter it will fail the foot of the lifter as the stress exceedes the strength of cast. I have been making these things for 15+years now and after lots of material and process revisions I am very happy with the results. I have had no failures or wear issues in over 3 years in multiple engines and applications. Sorry for the hijack. Can't wait to hear how your adventure works out.

Mud · Apr 7, 2013

Interesting project. FWIW I'm doing a street 21 stud flathead and my builder friends say lifters under 55Rc is too soft to hold up even with a cast cam.

Have any photos to post of what you are doing? I'd love to see. Interested in hearing about the outcome too.

1929nott · Apr 2, 2020

I need custom made tappet for a obsolete engine. I have a new tappet but it has no oil holes in it. Can these be drilled after they are already hardened or I will need new ones made.

steve-l · Apr 2, 2020

1929nott said:
I need custom made tappet for a obsolete engine. I have a new tappet but it has no oil holes in it. Can these be drilled after they are already hardened or I will need new ones made.

EDM is your friend.

steve-l · Apr 2, 2020

BrianB said:
Those look very similar to the tappets I make for Deere and Cummins engines for raceing applications. I always heat treat you don't want bore wear or gauling in the block to be an issue and I want all the stregth I can get. I don't use 8620 either I do for the cam but I like more impact toughness for the lifter. Good luck with your project.

What material do you use for the lifter?

Need custom automotive valve lifters machined

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