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 Lube Lessons Watch out for...  Lube LessonsWatch out for the "gear" logo on conventional oils if you have a flat-tappet cam engine, such as Corvettes prior to 1987. Many of these oils have significantly reduced levels of special antiwear additives that can be critical to your engine's health.  Many "racing" oils still have...  Many "racing" oils still have adequate levels of the antiwear additives that can protect your flat-tappet cam. Don't worry if the label says "not for passenger cars," or explains that it may damage catalytic converters. This is not a problem for pre-'75 cars or other vehicles that don't have a catalytic converter.  Cam break-in oils are another...  Cam break-in oils are another good way to increase the level of the antiwear additives. The additives are concentrated so that adding these with each oil change can help protect your flat-tappet cam. They are available directly from the manufacturer, from local speed parts stores, or from on-line speed part suppliers.  New Lifter Options Nitriding...  New Lifter OptionsNitriding is a surface hardening process that also increases lubricity and can reduce the chance of premature cam failure, and, thereafter, extend cam and lifter life. Comp Cams offers this as an option on all their flat-tappet cam lobes and lifters. (Courtesy Comp Cams)  Tiny 0.012-inch holes, created...  Tiny 0.012-inch holes, created in the hard lifter face by EDM, enable direct lubrication in one of an engine's worst lubrication problem areas. Comp Cams offers this as an option on many solid flat-tappet lifters. EDM-made holes are also available on solid roller lifters for greater lubrication of the roller. (Courtesy Comp Cams)  A lifter-bore grooving tool...  A lifter-bore grooving tool cuts a shallow groove down from the pressurized portion of the lifter bore. If your engine is apart, consider this an alternative to the EDM hole lifters. The groove ensures that oil runs down the lifter and onto the cam lobe. (Courtesy Comp Cams)
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