Bad Cam?
 

If any of you have been following my other posts, I pulled out the lifter that I thought was collapsed and the cam end of the lifter was badly recessed from wear, does this mean that my cam is junk:confused:

put slick 50 in it and rock on.

See if you can take a macro picture of the cam lobe through the bore and post it. I suspect the hardening is gone and you may have real trouble if you continue to run it.

TS,,,,i have not read your other posts...i waz joking around ...i didn't really think you were asking a question....if you were....by NO means run this engine again!....

Sorry Tony your done!
Time to go through them and freshen them up!
Not that you want to hear this but Mary and I are leaving for Kelly's in a hour or so:eek: If you can make it to CP marina in a hour we can give you a lift:p

Yes the cam is gone. Sorry to hear that. BTDT

I'm sure glad I didn't have to tell you what these guys did... Sorry dude, but as they say... Stick a fork in it.. it's done. When a lifter concaves on the bottom, it's because the lifter quits rotating in it's bore, and can happen for many reasons, including not running the motor @ 2500 rpm for 20 minutes the 1st time it is started to make sure the ramps on the cam lobes are able to rotate the lifters, and not start a wear pattern without rotation and eating the cam and lifter instead. If your parts look like these...TRAILER IT, until you can start over. Sorry man, but better to do it now, than too late!

http://home.attbi.com/~fordhater/dlifters.jpg
http://home.attbi.com/~fordhater/closeuplobe.jpg
http://home.attbi.com/~fordhater/closeuplobe1.jpg

Not only is the cam bad, but you will have metal circulating thoughout your engine. It needs to be disassembled, cleaned thoroughly and probably replace the bearings at a minimum. If you just replace the cam you will most likely have a bearing failure in the near future from the damage done by the metal.

Do you guys think that I should put a new cam in my other (good) engine now to be on the safe side?

I swear I have never heard of so many wiped out cams before joining this board. Is it somthing to do with the marine application?

Thrill seeker, I would do both engines at the same time and get it over with.

Intolerant 1, The marine engine is pretty much the only one that turns 4,000+ rpms for hours at a time, occassionally given a break when the throttle goes WOT cause we're bored cruising slow and 5,000+ rpms is SO much more fun! These habits do have a tendency to wear out things, if we don't just break them first!!:eek:

I get the idea, it just always seems to be the cam around here.

Not good:(
You do need to go thru the engine,You will probably find some of the cam material on the piston skirt next to that lobe.Whos cam and what lobe was it?

I can testify to the bad cam thing!! First time out with a brand new cam and lifter set!! Change everything. Cam, bearings, lifters, check the oil pump, flush your cooler, etc...

Thanks for all of the help guys:)

I should be back together in another week or so. If you want a ride to Kellys for Halloween, let me know.

TS
Since you lost a cam lobe, check for possible causes. The break-in procedure is critical, and use break-in lube such as Isky's Rev-lube(surgically enhanced Moly grease) and GM Engine Oil Supplement (has special anti-scuffing agents).

Also, check for valve spring coil bind. Although some people may have more scientific ways of doing this, a simple check is to insert a paper clip between the outer coils. Rotate the engine by hand and see if it pinches the paper clip. Check both intakes and exhaust.

There is now glitter floating around in your engine. The bearings probably have some in them and will scratch the crank, and piston skirts will scratch the cylinder walls. Time to dismantle it.

I would definitely check the other motor out. Valve clearance opens up big-time and is one sure sign. Burping through the carb can be an exhaust lobe.

Sorry to hear of your problem-
Bulldog aka Ronnie