Hi All

My 1988 454 Mag seems to have eaten its camshaft.
Tech says exhaust lifters on cyls. 5 & 7 are sticking (almost no valve movement on cyl. 7, less than normal on cyl. 5).

Yet I believe the cam is gone.. I'll pull the Intake next weekend to verify.

If it comes to the worst I'm thinking of buying a new long block.

What is a good place to buy such an engine (one that would ship overseas)?

Any experience with http://www.perfprotech.com ?

Thanks for your input

Mercruiser has a 383 stroker,fuel injected with the dry joint exhaust. It make 350 HP and 390 Ft lbs of torque. They also have it in a 357, carbed, wet joint exhaust and that is 325 Hp 390 Ft lbs of torque. Just plug and play.

Go with the long block 454 or 502. You will spend much more converting to a small block........only to lose power.

Might try Derebery Performance.

If you think the cam went flat, cut open the oil filter that will tell you will fast.

Check into 1800runsnew They ship anywhere and are on the east coast.
I bought 2 502 base marine engines and they have the good parts. I took them apart to change cams, springs and retainers.

Typical result from a low zinc lubricant or soft cam.

Ken

Why not just put in a new cam and lifter set?

I've done that in a car before. 3 months later it ate rod bearing. I'm sure the metal in the oil had a lot to with it.
I would say its 50/50 whether the rest of the engine bearings will last.

Yep, it you ate a cam the block should be boiled out. No way you can get rid of all the shavings. I would rebuild what you have but do a roller cam conversion. If you want more power give RMbuilder a call.

I completely understand your point. if he's on a low budget it might work. I did a replacement cam in an engine that ran fine until I sold the car years later. Cams are cheap, I've got two 454 magnum cams in my basement he can practice with. :P

Whatever you do, make sure you replace the oil cooler. You will not get all of the metal shavings out of it.
Eddie