Lifter failure

Bewy said

Dave,
The FT lifter problem was never there prior to the mid 90s when manufacture moved out of the USA...

Also, back 'in the day', we didn't have to remove inner springs for break in. Pontiac engines came from the factory with dual springs. They didn't remove the springs from 000s of engines for break in. Likewise engines such as the Hemi, 6 pack, L-88 Chev, etc all used heavy springs &...broken in with these.It is not the oil either, a convenient scapegoat....

Click to expand...

Seems to me that initially the problem began with the oil. This would explain why my Direct Connection cam bought and installed in the early 80's performed flawlessly with regular oil changes until some point in the early 90's. These were good parts destroyed by the quietly mandated lower zinc levels in the oil.

The oil/zinc level problem has long since been solved. Today's problems, as you stated, have to do with offshore manufacturing and their poor machining, metallurgy, and definitely a complete disregard of quality control.