PINTO CAR CLUB of AMERICA

Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: Pinto5.0 on July 16, 2012, 05:21:55 PM

Title: Is it wise to re-use 2.3L followers on a different cam?
Post by: Pinto5.0 on July 16, 2012, 05:21:55 PM

Everything I've ever been taught says you cant re-use lifters on a different cam but does that rule apply to followers? I see used ones selling on Ebay for good prices by themselves all the time.
 
The ones on my '79 2.3 are OEM Ford with 20K miles on them & I'm swapping in an Esslinger .495/265 high vacuum hydraulic cam that has 6 races on it.
 
New ones are only 90 bucks at Summit but if I don't need new ones I'll save the money to spend elsewhere. What's the rule with followers?

Title: Re: Is it wise to re-use 2.3L followers on a different cam?
Post by: Pintosopher on July 17, 2012, 08:54:35 AM

The rule is never reuse or swap followers when changing cams. The followers have already established a wear pattern unique to the previous cam. If the pads on the followers is worn even slightly off plane the New cam will suffer right away. Why waste a new cam?, get new followers and eliminate the risk..

Title: Re: Is it wise to re-use 2.3L followers on a different cam?
Post by: Bigtimmay on July 17, 2012, 10:51:16 AM

Only ones I know of that can be reused are the roller followers. But they can only be used on roller cams.

Title: Re: Is it wise to re-use 2.3L followers on a different cam?
Post by: racer99 on July 17, 2012, 11:15:43 AM

This^^^^^^^^^

Title: Re: Is it wise to re-use 2.3L followers on a different cam?
Post by: r4pinto on July 17, 2012, 11:58:05 AM

When in doubt, swap them out.

Title: Re: Is it wise to re-use 2.3L followers on a different cam?
Post by: dick1172762 on July 17, 2012, 03:14:17 PM

Quote from: Bigtimmay on July 17, 2012, 10:51:16 AM

Only ones I know of that can be reused are the roller followers. But they can only be used on roller cams.

     WRONG!!!! 2.3L Roller rockers will work all day long on 2.3L and on 2.0L (if you have 2.0 roller rocker arms). Had both for years on the street and track. Been there/done that.

Title: Re: Is it wise to re-use 2.3L followers on a different cam?
Post by: Pinto5.0 on July 17, 2012, 03:30:56 PM

My instinct was to install new ones anyhow. I'm glad I asked just to be sure.