Auto Racing: Older Cam Dynamics Cam, hydraulic roller lifters, hydraulic lifters

Question
Dan
I recently purchased a pristine Cam Dynamics Cam and was told that it was a solid roller for the big block Chrysler engines.
I installed it with new Comp Cams Solid Roller lifters and rockers. As I was cold adjusting the valve lash I bent a push rod. After further inspection I found that my valve springs are bottoming out.
What type of cam is this if not a solid roller? I don't want to bend any more push rods.
I have a set of solid lifters, hydraulic lifters and hydraulic roller lifters.
Thanks for any help please.

Answer
Hi Bill:

You're probably going to get your best answer from Cam Dynamics themselves.  And it may require that you send the cam to them for inspection and measuring.
There are so many variables with cam systems it's hard to pinpoint the problem or a correction. It could be that your rocker ratio is too extreme. Binding the springs makes me wonder if you have the right valves (short stem length). Of course, the pushrods are bending because something else is stopping before they're fully extended. The spring binding.  You can try to change to the solid lifters, but do your lash adjustment SLOWLY. There may be another set of rockers in your future as well.   

Since I primarily work with overhead cam motors, lifters and pushrods are WAY back in my history, and much hadn't been learned back then.  

When I have complex questions like that I usually go to Dave Generous at Cam Techniques. He worked extensively with Bob Sharpe and Paul Newman back in the day.
He can be reached at 941-727-5552.

That's his business phone so keep your questions brief if you can.

Good luck with it !!

Dan Liddy
Sarasota, Florida