Cam Shortage

[Tim]

This is probably here on the site somewhere but I ordered a Cam from Comp for my 496 and they say the cores are not available and don’t know when. Is it just them or industry wide?

 

[Don Jacks]

Pretty much industry wide.When you can find them,be sitting down.

 

[425/409ER]

Call Bullet cams, they have better products and most likely you won't end up with a flat cam like Comp crap cams.

 

[Don Jacks]

The problem mostly comes from the lack of quality flat tappet lifters.Yes,I've seen more than a couple of Comp's that had lobe failures,even wih trick oil's and additives.

 

[425/409ER]

The problem mostly comes from the lack of quality flat tappet lifters.Yes,I've seen more than a couple of Comp's that had lobe failures,even wih trick oil's and additives.

Even when I got the good Johnson lifters back in the day we still had Comp failures. Scooter Brothers told me once they have had bad batches of cores from time to time.

 

[61-63]

I just cancelled a bullet order for a hydraulic roller that I'd put in ?? two months ago for a Pontiac engine. No cores to make one from they say.

 

[61BUBBLE348]

Don't people regrind cams these days?

 

[Murphdog]

Yes there are people that regrind. But if you have a flat lobe there is no real fix. I think they can build it up but not sure of that process. It will probably be a better product & more cost effective to just buy new. IF you can get one. There was a new/regrind ?? 348/409 flat tappet cam on eBay. Been there for a long time. Like Don said, I think the main problem today is the lifters. Or at least that is mostly what the chatter is claiming.
Jeff

 

[Ishiftem]

Hy Lift Johnson is the only company making flat tappet lifters in this country. I would buy those or have original GM lifters refaced. Everything else is suspect.

 

[Tim]

I had picked out a cam 11-443-8 for my 496 build and that’s the one Comp said they couldn’t get cores for. It’s hy roller extreme energy and all extreme energy family cores are short supply. On happen stance I was on Amazon last night and they had one left. Bought it before it disappeared. Now just need a set of roller lifters…

 

[Don Jacks]

Get with Compitition Products[Howards].Nice choice on that cam.

 

[Tim]

Thanks Don, I’ll get a set ordered. Took both blocks to Armstrong’s this morning and they said there’s a lot of projects sitting in their engine shop waiting for parts.

 

[Don Jacks]

I feel your pain Tim.

 

[Tim]

Get with Compitition Products[Howards].Nice choice on that cam.

I’m paying attention and learning! Lol

 

[425/409ER]

Don't people regrind cams these days?

I have 3 roller cams that need to be re-ground, these companies want the same price as a new one to do that now, No thanks. The local grinder here where I live said "it's not worth his time to regrind cams anymore".

 

[Tim]

Doing a little searching in the world of lifters and as expected everything is out of stock
Competition products, summit bot are 16 weeks for Howard’s but I stumbled on Performance World lifters made in the USA that look identical to Howard’s. Anybody else seen this?

Amazon.ca

https://www.howardscams.com/sites/default/files/styles/product_display_image/public/products/91161-HWC_0.jpg?itok=qe-mhf-6

 

[Tim]

Apparently the performance world ones are made by Gaterman Products out of Daytona Beach FL
Sent performance world an email and got this back.
Howards are produced by Gaterman also. Gaterman is an OE producer for many brands.
Bill Gaterman was a tech at Crane Cams for years along with Mike Golding who now solely produce hydraulic roller lifters as Gaterman Products LLC.
And now everyone knows where to get them!!
Lots of stock from Performance World here in Canada

 

[Tim]

Yup Certainly Howard’s Lifters labelled different! Sticker under the Performance sticker on the box says Gaterman Products