Cam Problems

[markjohnson]

I did a cam/lifter swap a little over a year ago in my LS-6 454. I used a very large Comp Cams solid lifter grind along with Comp's own flat tappet solid lifters with the EDM hole in the bottom of them. Quite expensive at $180 just for the lifters but worth it in the long run to avoid any problems. I'm not a fan of Rotella either because diesel oils are known to be next on the horizon for the reduced zinc content if it hasn't been reduced already! I used the Valvoline Racing Oil 20W50 along with GM's Cam/Lifter break in additive and so far have no problems to report. I probably should have broke the camshaft in properly by using the outer valve springs only, but my '55 Chevy ex-C/Gasser has the engine set back very far under the windshield and dash and this would require total engine removal. One more thing, I've never been a fan of the half hour/2500 RPM thing. Just seems to hard on everything. I like to run them at 2500 RPM for just a few minutes several times with COMPLETE cool-downs between each session. That's probably what you don't read in the magazines, but it has been very successful for me for a long time. Good luck.

[RamAirDave]

How common is it to have a cam failure after the initial 20-30 minute break-in period has been completed?

[VintageMusclecar]

What brand is(was) the cam and lifters?

How much spring pressure on the heads?

Eric

[kwhizz]

It was a OEM plain old 360H.P. Hydraulic cam with stock springs............

Ken

[3macs1]

Hi Ken:
Is the block a 1966 casting??

[VintageMusclecar]

What brand were the lifters?

What was used for assembly lube, the red "taco sauce" or moly paste?

Did any of the lifters go into their bores tight?

If I may offer a tip for future reference...during mock-up I always use a brake cylinder hone and lightly "kiss" the lifter bores to make sure there aren't any boogers or left-over varnish that can hang the lifters up in their bores and keep them from rotating during operation.



If the lifter can't spin it will go flat.

Eric

[kwhizz]

It is the original 66 engine in the car with grooved Rear Cam journal...........
Eric.....I didn't put the Engine together so I can't answer those questions, but it was a detail oriented shop that put it together this time.......No matter what.....It's my problem.......Again

Ken