mech Vs hydro motors?

[jwspin]

quick question, what are the differences between the mech and hydro motors? (not the obvious differences with the heads like the lifters)

thanks
-jared

[Rabbit on Roids]

pretty sure the only diff with the blocks is the secondary oil drain on the front of the block.

[theman53]

you have to adjust the valves more on a mech. :lol:

Also, I have only owned the N/As but hydro and mech on them and the butt dyno tells me the mech have a little more go. Maybe I just got lucky with the good mech engines and a weaker hydro? I will let others chime in on that.

[RabbitJockey]

i would think there wouldn't be much difference between the 2, were they both in the same car?  i know mechanical should be better but from how i understand it, only at higher rpms but really i do not know i am just throwing that out there

[Rabbit TD]

you have to adjust the valves more on a mech. :lol:

Also, I have only owned the N/As but hydro and mech on them and the butt dyno tells me the mech have a little more go. Maybe I just got lucky with the good mech engines and a weaker hydro? I will let others chime in on that.

From what I have read here I think I'll stay mechanical as long as possible from all the stories about the lifter problems with the hydraulics.  There is less to worry about with the mechanical head and unless the valves have a real excess amount of clearance they don't make any noise to begin with and with mine at least the clearance doesn't change enough in 15,000 mi. to even worry about.

[Dakotakid]

As far as N/A goes, my experience is that the solid lifter engine pulls better and I really can not figure out why. That is based on two fresh rebuilds with identical model pumps, pistons, all new valves, both AGS trans. and even with mech. camshaft in both. The solid definitely grunts better off the bottom. And that was with the engines in the same car (pulled the first with 10,000 miles to put in this other one).
Really disappointed with the more expensive valves and such that the hyd. required.

[jwspin]

good stuff guys. so basically the same motors other than the obvious. it sounds like you all like the mech motors better. i have a couple options for a project right now but you all would suggest mech motors? ive never had to make a choice. ive owned both but one was turbo and the others were n/a, no real comparison there.

thanks
-jared

[arb]

I greatly prefer the hydraulic motors for two simple reasons.  First, valve adjustments take time.  Second, fitting the metal head gasket to mech lifter engines is problematic.

If properly adjusted, the mech lifter motor will have better performance than the hyd lifter motor.  The hp spec is actually higher with otherwise identical motors.  As the valve lash gets out of spec it will have worse performance.

Andrew

Me too - setting the mechanical lash is a pain you don't have on a hydro  and it will always creap out of spec over time on a mechanical.

But, I'm not looking for racing HP but better mpg than a gasser.

[53 willys]

I greatly prefer the hydraulic motors for two simple reasons.  First, valve adjustments take time.  Second, fitting the metal head gasket to mech lifter engines is problematic.

If properly adjusted, the mech lifter motor will have better performance than the hyd lifter motor.  The hp spec is actually higher with otherwise identical motors.  As the valve lash gets out of spec it will have worse performance.

Andrew

if you dont mind the high dollar MLS gasket I bought then yes the MLS can be difficult.
but for $140 it was totally worth the drop in replacement MLS for my mech build.