[Dick Boneske]

Regarding the failure of the hydraulic roller lifter in Pontiacs. Isn't it true that the aftermarket hydraulic rollers for Pontiacs today are actually GM LS engine lifters--which is why the oil band is too low for Pontiac engines?

If it's true that these are LS lifters, it seems odd that there are actual failures of the lifter body itself. Most LS motors run well beyond 200,000 miles without lifter failures. Why do they fail in Pontiac engines if the problem is not lack of oil flow while the lifter is on the base circle of the cam?

I have heard that hydraulic roller cams for Pontiacs today have a smaller base circle than OEM cams had, by significant amount, worsening the problem of the low oil band.

I'm concerned about this because we're having a Butler 468 stroker built now. The engine shop wants to use Comp Cams solid Extreme Energy flat tappets because of the trouble he's seen with retrofit hydraulic rollers. I just can't see the logic in using a solid flat tappet cam in a street engine. The 20 HP gain means nothing compared to the noise, need for adjustment, and risk of cam failure as so many see with flat tappet lifters, solid or hydraulic.

Help me understand this right way to go.