Hamilton Cams Complete Kit for Cummins Engines

Strength, durability, and precision—those are the hallmarks of our Hamilton Cams flat tappet conversion  kit. From forged steel camshafts to DLC-coated tappets and robust pushrods, every component is engineered for maximum performance and reliability. Trust in our decades of research, thousands of dyno tests, and millions of real-world miles to deliver a kit that stands the test of time.

“Innovation slightly faster than imitation.”

Forged Steel Camshafts

• Tighter Grain Structure: Our 178-208 steel cams are forged, not cut from bar stock—resulting in a more dense, more uniform grain structure.
• Enhanced Longevity: A natural “halo” in grain structure forms on the exterior of the cam during forging, adding a layer of strength for extended service life.

DLC-Coated Tappets

• Gas Carburized & Polished: Each tappet undergoes a meticulous hardening process that gives us the hardness to act as a very stable base metal for the DLC coating
• Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) Coating: This ultra-hard surface finish dramatically reduces friction and wear. While DLC is a big leap forward to lower friction and extend component life, it can be damaged by using incorrect oil, incorrect lash, experiencing valve float or with metal contamination. Thin viscosity oils, do not provide the correct shear capabilities that flat tappets need. it is important that you use 15-40 oils in non-winter conditions or 5-40 sub-zero. Oils with low-zinc, phosphorous and molybdenum do not provide the additive package needed for a flat tappet.
• This is why we suggest Valvoline premium blue 15w-40 or 5w-40 for winter conditions or Schaeffer 15w-40 or 5w-40for winter conditions. Use another oil… do so at your own risk.
• Lash that is too loose or can damage lifters or coating by increasing the impact when lash goes to solid. Lash that is too tight will damage coating because it does not allow enough oil film thickness to form before the next impact cycle. Make sure your lash is correct .010″/.020″ after 5 minutes of running, and after you retorque your head, please re-check. High rpm amplifies the impact of the camshaft to the tappet which can break through the oil film above 4,000rpm. High spring pressures and high rpm are discouraged for longevity’s sake, as there are not enough film strength and additives in emission compliant oils to allow these extreme scenarios.  In these cases where viscosity is too low, lash is too much, rpm too high or spring pressure is too high, the film strength is not adequate to keep the tappet and the cam separated. In this case the DLC will be degraded into graphite and will start to decompose and delaminate. You have to choose if you want longevity or to party… unfortunately you can do both only for a short while. Lastly, any wear metals from other failures get into the non-filtered splash oil and can kill DLC coating in short order. Fleetguard Filter LF16035 Stratapore is our preferred oil filter.  Although this is a performance camshaft that is emission compliant, think of it as a fix for stock or mild builds that do not exceed 4,000rpm and use OEM springs.

Heavy-Duty Pushrods

• 3500+ lbs Buckling Force: Compared to around 1800 lbs for OEM pushrods, ours drastically reduce deflection at high cylinder pressures.
• Consistent Valve Timing: With less flex, your valvetrain stays precisely in sync—even under extreme conditions.

Upgraded Rocker Arms

• High-Quality Casting: Built to handle intense stress and heat cycles.
• Gas Carburized Ball & Foot: Reduces friction and wear for longer service intervals.
• DLC-Coated Trunnion: Minimizes galling—an all-too-common issue with OEM trunnions—and lowers overall friction in the valvetrain.

Oil Recommendations

•  Use Valvoline 15W-40 premium blue
• Schaeffer 700 Series 15w-40
• Fleetguard Stratapore filter LF16035

Proven Performance & Reliability

• Decades of Experience: Our cams have powered countless diesel engines for millions of road miles and thousands of dyno runs.
• SEMA-Certified (49-State Compliance): This kit is tested and certified for street use in 49 states, giving you peace of mind.

• Important Fitment Notice

  • If you’ve had your engine block or cylinder head surfaced, please call us for verification to ensure proper kit fitment.
  • Intake Valve Lash: 0.010″
  • Exhaust Valve Lash: 0.020″

When you choose Hamilton Cams, you’re investing in proven innovation and superior craftsmanship. Experience the confidence that comes from a kit designed to hold up under extreme conditions, and help your Cummins engine deliver reliable power for the long haul.