Owen Posted July 17, 2002 Share Posted July 17, 2002 Anyone use these? Yay? Nay? They are very damn cheap for what they say they can do. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest greimann Posted July 17, 2002 Share Posted July 17, 2002 There was a round of discussion on these a few months back: http://www.hybridz.org/ubb/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=001904 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike C Posted July 18, 2002 Share Posted July 18, 2002 They do work, but they sound like a mechanical valve train. They are quite loud IMO. If you don't mind the noise and an occasional lash, there is a LOT of horsepower to be had by eliminating the hydraulic lifter valvetrain and going solid. I asked Comp about switching from my mechanical roller to a hydraulic roller and there response was all else being equal, they figured 50 hp. 50!? That was unacceptable as far as I was concerned. Similar gains can be had with a mechanical flat tappet cam compared to a hydraulic flat tappet. FYI, my mechanical roller is litte with 236 @ .050 and .530 net lift Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tom Scala Posted July 20, 2002 Share Posted July 20, 2002 I don't totally agree with some of the comments on the other post about Rhoades lifters. I've used them for over 15 years and they work as well or better than advertised IF you use them properly. They decrease idle duration at least 8-10 degrees and significantly increase idle vacuum on wide LSA cams while giving a nice torque boost in street driving rpm ranges. The effect they have on tighter (108 and less) LSA cams is not as pronounced. I ran a 231/240 @ .050 114LSA cam (RAIV) in a 400 Pontiac/auto trans with standard lifters and had a rough, rolling idle at 900 rpm with 11" of vacuum and little off idle to 3000rpm torque. Once the engine warmed & the oil thinned out the Rhoades gave me 14+" at a slightly lopey 750 rpm and decreased the need for a high stall convertor. They had the same idle characteristics & low speed driveability with the big RAIV cam as a 216/228 @.050 cam/standard lifter I ran in another 400 had but with much more 4500-6000rpm power. The exhause was also noticeable quieter at idle & low speed with Rhoades. I never had any problems adjusting them, it's really just the same procedure as preloading a standard hydro lifter. I used them later with the same cam in a 455 and stock convertor in a heavy car and had a stock sounding 700 rpm idle with 17" of idle vacuum and traction problems running 28x9 slicks. They will make more noise on a newer fast ramp profile or "cheater" style cam and aren't recomended for these type grinds. Higher ratio rocker arms will also cause a slightly louder tick due to the quicker closing of the valve. I've never had any unusual wear problems like some cam companies claim in their literature. They aren't for everyone but they don't deserve the bad rap some people (usually non-users) give them. I look at them as a poor mans roller due to the extremely wide idle to redline power band they can offer when used properly. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 21, 2002 Share Posted July 21, 2002 I used them in a '57 Chevy back in high school (no, I'm not THAT old...graduated in '88), and had ggod luck with them. The engine was a mild 327 with flattops, double hump 462 heads, Performer intake, Holley 1850 carb, 1 5/8 headers, and a L79 grind (.447 lift), 350hp 327 cam. The cam idled smoothly (too smoothly, actually, for my taste now), the car made great vaccum, and the noise was minimal...not as noticeable as a solid IMHO. I'll probably never use them again (probably never use a flat tappet cam again), but I was pleased with them. They worked as advertised, and the car ran great. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Anonymous Posted July 21, 2002 Share Posted July 21, 2002 They do work as advertised, but I have also heard a set in a SBF that were a bit on the noisy side, not as bad as solid lifters but noticable. Not enough to not use them though at least for me. Regards, Lone Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted July 21, 2002 Author Share Posted July 21, 2002 Thanks for the comments, these lifters are pretty cheap and I since I may want to go with a new set of lifters, I may try these things out. Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Tom Scala Posted July 22, 2002 Share Posted July 22, 2002 Owen,one more thing to consider. If you are on the edge of detonation with your current combo,the Rhoades could push you over the edge at low speeds because of the increased cylinder pressure from the shorter duration and earlier closing intake valve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Owen Posted July 22, 2002 Author Share Posted July 22, 2002 Thanks, I'll keep that in mind. Currently I'm not even on the edge of combustion as the car isn't even running! Owen Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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