L71 Solid Valve Lifters

[Gary F.]

I am rebuilding my L71 big block and have purchased the replacement cam from Federal Mogul/Seal Power but the matching solid lifters are no longer available. Looking at Crower for solid lifters they have five options. #1 is for mechanical flat tappet lifters with a small hole in the face for increased lubrication, #2 is a high flow light weight mechanical lifter that flows up to 6 GPH ( VS 4GPH for a stock valve lifter) which allows more oil flow to the top end to cool the rocker and spring for prolonged life, #3 is a light weight rocker with a small hole in the face and no high flow, #4 is a rocker with 2 small holes in the face, and #5 is a light weight rocker that flows up to 8 GPH. Do L71 big blocks have issues with not enough oil to the top end? I don't want to rob oil supply to the bottom end. What is the best option? Thanks for your help.

[Thomas N.]

Re: L71 Solid Valve Lifters

Hi:
I just put together an L71 with solid lifters with the .012" edm'd hole on them. The theory is that it provides more lubrication down to the lifter face/cam interface. In theory it makes sense, especially when you hear so much about wiping out cam lobes. For the price differential of the solid lifters with and without the holes, it is in the noise (dollars wise) for the complete rebuild. To me, I thought it was worth it if it works. That is my opinion. I'm sure you will hear more.

I don't think an L71 needs any more top end lubrication up to the valvetrain.

From a source that sells these, the pros are:
Direct cam lobe lubrication
No significant loss of oil pressure
Permits higher valve spring pressure
Full time lubrication-no splash
Eliminates cam lobe and lifter wear