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Flat Tappet Cams
Pontiac V8 Flat Tappet Cams
The Original Valvetrain — Flat Tappet Cams for Pontiac V8s
Flat tappet is what every Pontiac V8 left the factory with, and it is still the right answer for a stock rebuild, a period-correct restoration and plenty of street builds. The lifter rides directly on the lobe, which keeps the parts count and the cost down but makes break-in a real procedure rather than a formality.
Butler stocks three families here: COMP Cams Xtreme Energy book grinds, Butler's own Hi-Torq hydraulic flat tappet grinds, and the Ram Air Series factory reproductions of the 067, 068, 744 and 041 cams, with Melling reproductions alongside them. Cams, cam and lifter kits and master kits are all available.
Flat tappet cams and lifters carry the manufacturer’s warranty only — read the full warranty notice at the bottom of this page before ordering.
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More About Flat Tappet Cams
1. Break-In Is Not Optional
This is the single most important thing on the page, and Butler puts it on every flat tappet product: all flat tappet cams require a break-in oil that already carries a high zinc package, and they require a more extensive break-in process than a roller cam does.
| ZDDP | modern API oils have had the zinc and phosphorus reduced to protect catalytic converters. A flat tappet lobe and lifter face need that anti-wear package. Use a break-in oil formulated with the zinc already in it rather than an additive, and keep a ZDDP-bearing oil in it afterward. |
| Spring pressure for break-in | the seat pressure that is right for the finished engine can be too much for a fresh lobe and lifter to survive the first twenty minutes. Break the cam in on the correct pressure for break-in, then go to the final springs. |
| New lifters with a new cam | a used lifter has already worn a pattern into its face. Pair a new cam with new lifters, every time. |
| The break-in run itself | varied rpm above idle for the first twenty minutes, not a long idle, with cooling and timing sorted before it fires. |
2. The Three Families Butler Stocks
| COMP Cams Xtreme Energy book grinds | the XE256H through XE294H ladder on 110 lobe separation, each with a published rpm range. The default answer for a street Pontiac that wants more than stock. |
| Butler Hi-Torq hydraulic flat tappet | Butler/Comp grinds from 250/260 up to 284/296 advertised, all on 112 lobe separation. The wider separation is the point, and it changes how the same duration behaves. |
| Ram Air Series reproductions | Butler exclusive Comp grinds of the factory 067, 068, Ram Air III 744 and Ram Air IV 041 profiles, plus Melling reproductions of the same cams. For a numbers-correct car or anyone who wants the factory powerband back. |
3. Cam, Lifter Kit or Master Kit
Each family is offered three ways, and the choice is about how much of the top end is already correct.
| Cam only | the camshaft alone. Only right if new lifters and matched springs are already on the bench. |
| Cam and lifter kit | cam plus a matched lifter set, usually the Hy-Lift Johnson 852B made in the USA on the Butler kits. |
| Master kit | adds the timing set, valve springs chosen for your cylinder head type, retainers, locks and valve stem seals, so the whole top end goes together as one designed package. |
If the car will see hard use, high spring pressures or a lot of rpm, ask whether a retrofit hydraulic roller is the better long-term answer before committing to a flat tappet.
Hi-Torq Hydraulic Flat Tappet Cams and Cam Kits
Flat Tappet Cam & Lifter Warranty Notice
Due to so many variable that can affect flat tappet cam and lifter life from break-in and beyond Flat tappet cams are subject to manufacturer’s warranty ONLY. This is due to stringent break-in procedures that must be followed (including removing inner springs for break-in), rocker ratio, the special oils/additives required, lifter bore inconsistencies of size and angle in stock blocks, issues of lifter bore wear and oil bleed off on 40-50 year old Pontiac blocks and so many other variables that can affect cam/lifter life both right from the point of break-in as well as durability after break-in. Keep in mind that just because an engine “ran for 40 years with the stock flat tappet cam and lifters” doesn’t mean that a more aggressive cam that also requires new, stronger springs will have the same life. Or even make it through break in. Block/Lifter bore issues are magnified once you change cams, springs and/or rocker ratio.
If you have an issue with a flat tappet cam/lifters and you believe it’s a warrantable issue then Butler Performance will return the cam to COMP/Lunati/Melling for inspection and any warranty/replacement will be at their discretion. We do not warranty flat tappet cams in any way past the manufacturer’s warranty. We do not warranty any parts damaged by or parts needed to replace a flat tappet cam/lifters including any labor involved.
BUTLER PERFORMANCE HIGHLY RECOMMENDS UPGRADING TO HYDRAULIC ROLLER CAMS.
Not sure what your Pontiac needs?
Email our tech team at tech@butlerperformance.com. Tell us your engine, heads, car, and power goal, and we will put the parts together as one combination that works.