Starboard engine ran poorly getting on plane yesterday after a200 yard idle in a no wake zone. Opened hatch and heard a very loud lifter. After pulling valve cover, I found a floppy loose rocker arm, then pulled intake to find what is left of the lifter wheel laying in the valley and a wiped out cam. All other cam lobes and lifters look fine to me(I'm not an expert by any means). They have always been a bit noisy when cold, but quiet down as soon as the engine is warm.

Engine is 1995 502 that was rebuilt about 150 hours ago, with new custom cam, morel lifters, roller rockers, custom length pushrods, and AFR oval ports heads. I am running Mobile one 15-50 oil. Engine is fresh water cooled, and has thermostatically
controlled oil cooler rated up to 750HP. Heads and valvetrain parts were spec ed out and purchased from a well respected marine engine expert. I am ordering new cam, lifters, and other related parts today.

What else can I check? I know it can be a defective lifter, but I would like to hear of any other common causes of lifter failure. Boat has been running flawlessly. This would have been the third summer without any engine issues.

Has anyone else had problems with Morel lifters? Should I use a thinner oil? I use this boat 30 to 50 mile off shore. It has to be dependable.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]542689[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]542690[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]542691[/ATTACH]

Anyone?