[Lugnut79]

Well I just figured out why my car felt like it was running on 6 cylinders. Probably because it was. I've played with timing and carb and replaced the powervalve thinking maybe that was it. Took the car for a ride tonight and it was poping out through the carb (there goes my new powervalve) so when I got back I pulled the valve cover and found #1 exhaust and #3 intake valves were barely opening. That will do it everytime. What would cause the lobes to wipe out like this on a solid flat tappet cam? The cam card called for .026 for both intake and exhaust. I set them to .030 cold and figured that would be ok. Hopefully the metal shavings didn't wipe out my crank. Grrrr I'm so angry right now I'm going to go drink and see if I can find some answers.

 

[Ryan V64SS]

Well I just figured out why my car felt like it was running on 6 cylinders. Probably because it was. I've played with timing and carb and replaced the powervalve thinking maybe that was it. Took the car for a ride tonight and it was poping out through the carb (there goes my new powervalve) so when I got back I pulled the valve cover and found #1 exhaust and #3 intake valves were barely opening. That will do it everytime. What would cause the lobes to wipe out like this on a solid flat tappet cam? The cam card called for .026 for both intake and exhaust. I set them to .030 cold and figured that would be ok. Hopefully the metal shavings didn't wipe out my crank. Grrrr I'm so angry right now I'm going go drink and see if I can find some answers.

Improper break in procedure, can cause it. How did you break it in?

 

[tbills66]

Improper break in procedure, can cause it. How did you break it in?

also wrong springs, wrong pushrods, poor oiling or just a bad cam

 

[veno]

lifters not able to spin in the bores.... or tight lifter bores....

be sure to check the lifter bores on #3 and #1

and low zinc oil....

 

[NOVACA1N]

Sucks dude, sorry to hear...Precisely why I'll never use a flat tappet. They (as well as oils) just aren't what they used to be..

 

[Lugnut79]

Damn that zinc. The Cam was not brand new. It was already broken in from the engine rebuild 2 yrs ago. All I did this winter was pull the motor and replace the oilpan gasket and throw a new intake on. The only thing I can think of is the engine sat on the stand dry for two months or so and I never pulled the lifters and oiled them up. I did prime the engine with a drill prior to starting though. I wonder if they ran dry and wiped them out? What should I use for oil?

One other hint I found that was intersting in my trouble shooting was the sound the carb made when the secondaries opened and almost blew my ear drums. I don't know if it was sucking the air in faster than it could get rid of it or what but it was definatly loud as hell.

 

[levisnteeshirt]

at least,,

well it finally showed its ugly head whats been giving you grief. Nothing like waiting on the UPS man with new parts coming :yes:

The lifters not spinning is something i've not heard mentioned on here yet and thats a great point.



I highly recommend Pro blend assembly lube. I just don't think there is anything else as good. I showed it to my engine builder friend the other day while he was drilling a crank during balancing. He was using " the best " cutting oil made. He was also having trouble dulling his bits. We put the Pro Blend stuff in the hole , it started eating it up. It attracts oil to the heat and enhances oils performance in a multitude of situations. Immediatly he asked, " what the hell is in this stuff ?? " All i could tell him was it just makes oil work.

 

[Lugnut79]

well it finally showed its ugly head whats been giving you grief. Nothing like waiting on the UPS man with new parts coming :yes:

Yeah its almost a releif that I found out what it was but now its going to cost $$$. Damn this wedding this fall. She's already bitching because I "wasted" a $9 gallon of 112 VP in the golf cart gas tank. Wait until I tell her what this is going to cost. They will never understand that smell.

Thanks Levisnteeshirt for all your suggestions with the troubleshooting. All good idea's. Actually thank you to everyone for the help. Alright I have to quit drinking beer I'm getting all emotional.

 

[burty]

Alright I have to quit drinking beer I'm getting all emotional.

That is in my top five funniest things I've read at Steve's...

 

[ckanderson]

what oil were you running?

 

[Lugnut79]

Napa 10-30. I know I know. Zinc???? I totally forgot about it until Veno brought it up last night. Live and learn I guess.

 

[veno]

I just wish I could convince every one to use valvoline VR1....

there has been no less than 3 cam failures on this board in the past 3 months...

 

[novaboy009]

I lost a pair of lobes on my good motor. Just found out on tear down. Make it 4.

Kev

 

[Lugnut79]

Veno I promsie I'll buy it this time around. What are the other options? I wish I didn't have a 9qt oil pan. This crap is getting expensive. Its almost as much as my duramax takes.

Is it common to lose a couple lobes at the same time or just a freak thing?

 

[D-Man]

Veno I promsie I'll buy it this time around. What are the other options? I wish I didn't have a 9qt oil pan. This crap is getting expensive. Its almost as much as my duramax takes.

Is it common to lose a couple lobes at the same time or just a freak thing?

It depense on where all of the metal shavings/grindings from the first lobe loss migrate to. The closest neighboring lobe just seems like an easy first target.

 

[veno]

Rotella HD30, HD40, and HD10w30....
valvoline VR1 30, 40, 10w30.

look in the zddp and modern oil thread sticky for a more complete list of shelf oils suitable....

at less than 4 bucks a quart.. its cheap insurance on the over all cost of the engine..

 

[Lugnut79]

Thanks Veno!