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Used Johnson Lifters or New Morels

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Old Feb 2, 2024 | 09:34 AM
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Default Used Johnson Lifters or New Morels

I hate to even ask this question, but I'm on the fence as to what to do. There are an overwhelming amount of threads on this subject. I put together a forged 408 from an LQ9. BTR .660 springs on Ported 799 Heads. I have a very lightly used Texas Speed Torquer V4 Cam currently installed that was purchased for a different car and made its way into this one, and it is highly likely I will be swapping that out for something that runs a little higher in the RPM range later down the line. This engine is going into a corvette. I've used WS6 store lifters for the past couple of cheap cam swaps without an issue. I want to do a little better this time. I plan to spin this thing to 7500 eventually. In my C6 (sold) I used Morel 5290's back in 2013, and they were great, but I only ran them to 6500. I have the option of picking up a used set of Johnson 2116LSRs or I can buy a new set of Morel 5290s. I am looking for a link bar lifter. Budget is $500. This will be a street car. What's the life expectancy on those Johnsons? Sorry for the vague question, just looking for some friendly advice or another affordable link bar option.

Thanks
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Old Feb 2, 2024 | 06:30 PM
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I'd pick a new lifter over a used lifter.
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Old Feb 2, 2024 | 08:02 PM
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I didn’t think there was anything link bar for 500? Caddy lifters were 538 when I was shopping a couple months ago. The Johnson link bars everyone likes were in the 750 range.
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Old Feb 2, 2024 | 09:09 PM
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I went thru 2 sets of Lunatis (Morels); both sets were trash (lubricant solidifed) in my Pontiac 462 build 10 years ago.

**** Morel, use the Johnsons.
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Old Feb 2, 2024 | 11:06 PM
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Originally Posted by wannafbody
I'd pick a new lifter over a used lifter.
After the first drive both are used, so I'd say it matters more on how many miles are on the "used" set rather than just that they're used.
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Old Feb 3, 2024 | 07:17 AM
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Back in the day, the LS7 lifters were the go-to and I've used a few sets of those on cars I didn't really care about and they always worked great. The Morels were great in my supercharged C6, but I shifted that at right over 6K. It's interesting how they rate them at 6500 when a factory lifter can easily handle that. The threads I have read in regard to failures seem to begin where you would need a link bar lifter vs a regular style. I'm not sure who the target market is for the 5290s.
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Old Feb 3, 2024 | 07:23 AM
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"Lo miles, lightly used, near new condition".....
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Old Feb 3, 2024 | 08:50 AM
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Should you buy used Johnsons or new Morels? Don't waste your time or money and just buy a new set of lifters.
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Old Feb 3, 2024 | 09:46 AM
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F**k it, I don't know why I came in here expecting an affordable solution, Ill spend a little extra and get some new Johnsons...
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Old Feb 3, 2024 | 09:51 AM
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honestly that cam isnt gonna want much over 7000 in a 408 anyway if that before it falls off so i dont think you have to go too crazy on the lifters until you upgrade

$500 for those morels through summit seems like a good deal although ive never seen them up close in person

do you know the owner/mileage of the johnsons? or a mystery online set? how much? could be worth it if theyre low miles or you can look them over in person and for a good price
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Old Feb 3, 2024 | 01:19 PM
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Originally Posted by Danspeed1
F**k it, I don't know why I came in here expecting an affordable solution, Ill spend a little extra and get some new Johnsons...
Good call! Also take a look at CamMotion.
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Old Feb 3, 2024 | 09:25 PM
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Originally Posted by 1988montecarloss
honestly that cam isnt gonna want much over 7000 in a 408 anyway if that before it falls off so i dont think you have to go too crazy on the lifters until you upgrade

$500 for those morels through summit seems like a good deal although ive never seen them up close in person

do you know the owner/mileage of the johnsons? or a mystery online set? how much? could be worth it if theyre low miles or you can look them over in person and for a good price
The used ones are unknown, but literally half price. This is the first 408 I've built so since I spent them money on the bottom end I feel inclined to spend money I wouldn't normally spend on the top end
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Old Feb 4, 2024 | 10:02 AM
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One guys lightly used is another guys ran the living Hell out of them. I say buy new, as you posted.....
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Old Feb 4, 2024 | 10:16 AM
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Unless you know the lifters are good to go I wouldn't chance it. I think it's an area where you'd bite the bullet and buy new so you have peace of mind. If something did go wrong with the used lifters you'll be kicking yourself for not.
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Old Feb 4, 2024 | 10:20 AM
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New does not mean good all the time - as stated before the Morels I got were rubbish, and their customer support worse.

I went to Johnsons afterward when available and they worked as intended.
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Old Feb 4, 2024 | 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Scarebird
New does not mean good all the time - as stated before the Morels I got were rubbish, and their customer support worse.

I went to Johnsons afterward when available and they worked as intended.
So with the Johnson's it means good all the time right...
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Old Feb 4, 2024 | 10:42 AM
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Originally Posted by 01CamaroSSTx
So with the Johnson's it means good all the time right...
I would trust used Johnsons more than new Morels.
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Old Feb 4, 2024 | 11:27 AM
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Do you know anything about the used lifters? Are they from a friend or some guy on marketplace?

Are the Johnson's serviceable? I mean are they easily taken apart and cleaned?
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Old Feb 4, 2024 | 09:17 PM
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Remember this isn't a SBC and you have to remove the head to replace the lifters if one is bad.
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Old Feb 6, 2024 | 04:03 PM
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Originally Posted by Danspeed1
The used ones are unknown, but literally half price. This is the first 408 I've built so since I spent them money on the bottom end I feel inclined to spend money I wouldn't normally spend on the top end
im not saying you should do this but for half the price i would take the gamble but take them apart and check over/clean before running
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