I broke the cam in (had issues with start up, running hot..stopped and started at least 3 times during the 20 minute break in process) so I take some of the responsibility. He is ordering a new cam on Monday. He came to my house on Saturday morning. He gave me my engine with oil topped up. I can only assume at this point that he used a good quality oil. He keeps Joe Gibbs stuff on his shelves...I will ask to confirm. So the other issue is that wiped cam lobe and lifter means that I have metal particles floating around in my engine. Protocol? He is ordering new cam on Monday. One last thing. I did a compression test on this engine on two cylinders and had 120 PSI on both. I asked to have the high compression pistons from the 355 wildcat. So, what kind of PSI should I have. Seeing rings are not yet seated would that affect the reading I am getting. Will I have a higher reading when rings are seated?
is it on all 8 or the ones with flat lobes? if the intake valve is barely opening it won't have much Compression. also depends on where the cam is installed. my old stock 8.5 to 1 455 had 130 Compression with 30k on the car
I can't see where the shut off restart during cam break in or the lack of zinc would cause only one lobe & lifter to wipeout. More likely to be a faulty cam. Some very reputable engine builders don't think that the 2000 rpm cam break in is even necessary.
So yes. Just one lobe and lifter got wiped. Rest looked ok. What happened to me on this cam I have heard many times from others. Even some fine examples on Hot Rod Magazine site.
Well after waiting for the cam to come in, it arrived last Friday, and calling the shop just to not have my calls returned, told that he would come to do the job, then not come, then be told that he was doing me a favour as he is not responsible for cam damage at break in...it's just buddy, you should have told me that from the get go...I told him that I would go and pick my parts up and find someone else to do the job, cause at this point...if it's a favour..I don't want favours I just want my damn engine running. I rather pay someone else, get it done on my terms then on his. All this was BS...Ah what can a fellow do! Onwards!
it sucks man, but you know what. before long you will be cruising around in your car on top of the world and he is living with bad karma. life goes on . fighting through all the bugs is what makes it more enjoyable when your car is in tip top shape.
Thanks for the empathy. It will all get sorted out in due time. I have a cousin who died in his sleep from a massive heart attack on Monday, 48 years old, diagnosed with schizophrenia when he was 18. It is a good reminder to not sweat the small stuff.
I feel your pain. Same thing in my '69 350. Can't seem to figure it out, thinking of just saying screw it and putting an LS1 into it....
Car is running. I think too much duration on the cam. Oil pressure still low at idle, fine once you step into it. Will order a TA timing cover for winter project. I think too much clearance between side of pocket and gears. I will measure at next oil change. I sent my all my details to isky cams and am waiting on a recommendation. Found a couple of good threads on cam selection. Am a liitle better informed than i was. It drives, no smoke, rattle or knock...power just to high in the rpm range. Also had to go to another funeral. Sister of cousin who passed last month lost her 16 year old daughter in a tragic atv accident. That family has had enough grief. Beautiful young lady, overacheiver, talented musicaly and one hell of an athelete. For a 16 yr old she lived life to it s fullest. Life goes on. Later.
Sorry to hear about the loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. Glad to hear you have the car running! So sorry to hear that after all that the car is not performing the way you want. Have you tried changing the ignition curve? That might allow you to get off the line better. Another thing that might help is a looser torque converter? I run a 3000 stall torque converter in my 700R4 and then I just lock it up with a switch on the highway... I think you have a 200R4 right? I know this REALLY helped wake up my heavy truck off the line and helps get into the cams powerband right away.
