Howards Cams Engine Valve Lifter

Howards Cams Engine Valve Lifters: Race-Proven Engineering for Every Build

When it comes to valvetrain performance, few names carry the weight of Howards Cams. Founded in 1945 by Howard Johansen, Howards has grown into a leading manufacturer of racing components, drawing on decades of on-track experience to engineer lifters that perform at the highest level — from weekend street drivers to all-out competition builds. Their engine valve lifters reflect the same meticulous engineering philosophy that defines the brand's legendary camshafts.

A Lifter for Every Application

Howards Cams offers a well-defined lineup of valve lifters to match a broad range of engine builds and performance goals:

• Street Series Hydraulic Roller Lifters — Designed for street performance enthusiasts upgrading to a hydraulic roller camshaft, these lifters are manufactured to fit early or late model blocks, including blocks with tall lifter bosses. Each lifter body is constructed of tempered steel and topped with hardened steel roller wheels and stainless steel vertical lifter bars, working best in applications under 6,500 RPM.
• Race Series Hydraulic Roller Lifters — These feature proprietary hydraulic valving specifically designed for continuous operation to 6,600 RPM, with lifter bodies fully machined from alloy steel bar stock and completely micro-polished. The nose wheels are machined from 8620 material and the cases are hardened for durability. Race Series lifters are also fully rebuildable, making them a smart long-term investment for competitive builds.
• Pro Max Hydraulic Roller Lifters — Designed for high RPM engines that commonly operate at over 7,000 RPM, these lifters utilize unique internal valving to allow for increased RPM, torque, and horsepower.
• Direct Lube Hydraulic Flat Tappet Lifters — These use a precision minor flat ground on the side of the lifter body to supply oil directly to the cam lobe/lifter interface, allowing for a constant oil supply that enables higher valve spring pressures, more aggressive profiles, and reduced lobe wear.
• Maximum Effort Retrofit Hydraulic Roller Lifters — True high-performance street lifters designed primarily for ease of maintenance and reliability, these are CNC-machined and fitted with precision check ball internal valving to prevent lifter "pump up," providing a broader power band and increased RPM potential while retaining the low maintenance of a hydraulic cam.

Built to Measurable Standards

What separates Howards Cams lifters from generic aftermarket parts is their commitment to verified quality. Howards hydraulic and mechanical lifters are 100% Rockwell checked for hardness at their manufacturing plant in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, ensuring that every customer receives the best-made components available. Construction techniques like cold forming for exceptional lifter body durability, hardened and tempered steel alloy roller wheels, and heat-treated stainless steel cross bars with high alloy steel tie bar buttons reflect the brand's attention to detail.

Matched to Howards Camshafts for Maximum Compatibility

A great number of valvetrain innovations can be traced back to Howards Cams, and nowhere is this more evident than in their cam-and-lifter ecosystem. Howards lifters are engineered to work seamlessly alongside their camshaft profiles, and many are available as part of Max Certified Cam & Lifter Sets. With Max Certified sets, builders are fully covered — and for extra insurance, most kits are available with Direct Lube lifters. The Max Certified 5-year warranty starts from the original date of purchase, with all replacements covered for the remainder of that warranty.

Whether you're converting a classic muscle car engine to roller lifters or building a dedicated racing powerplant, Howards Cams valve lifters deliver the precision and durability that serious engine builders demand. Explore the full Howards Cams brand catalog or browse all engine valve lifters to find the right fit for your build.