So I started my heads/cam/intake swap on my 2000 Camaro and everything has been pretty straightforward so far. I'm looking for a street machine so I went with 5.3 ported heads, ls6 intake, and fairly mild comp cams 216/220 camshaft. This weekend I get around to installing the cam and I find that by the time I reach the fourth journal entering the bearing in the front of the engine, things start to feel tight. I assumed I nicked a bearing because the journal was half way into the bearing so I kept turning and it seated, but felt really tight. On the fifth journal, it was even tighter. To turn the damn cam I had to use pliers to turn the water pump bolts on the end of the cam just to get it to spin. I used a assembly grease on the lobes and 5W-30 on the journals. I asked around some people at work who told me this is not right. I came back to the garage today and took out the cam and replaced it with the old cam and it fits fine. The bearings are aligned perfectly. Just to confirm I didn't dislodge some debris, I re-installed the new cam and i've got the same problem. Anyone else have this issue? I heard comp cams had spring issues, but cams?

 

I'd measure the cam journals and compare them to the stock size. The few comp cams i've used, slid in and turned like the stock cam.

 

I've installed 4 Comp Cams and they all went in no worries - that is not to say that your cam hasn't got an issue. If you think it is wrong, the best bet would be to get it measured.

Cheers,

Macca

 

Sounds like something is wrong with the cam.

 

Yeah so i got the figures back today.

Journals all measure within spec, cam runout is terrible!

.01" run out on journal 3,
.007" run out on journal 2,
.006" run out on journal 1.

I hope my bearings didn't get gouged too bad putting the bad one in! I'm really pissed right now that I have to be quality control! Oh, and of course the box is mint and there's no other indication on the cam itself that it's been dropped. On the plus side, I called Comp today and they shipped me a new one (although I had to charge it) and will be refunded upon receipt of the old. Thanks for the feedback guys.

 

Ar least the turn around was quick.

 

Put a Crane in it.

 

Mine New comp cam had a scratch on the number 1 bearing surface. I wasn't happy but it was cheaper to have my local cam Guy clean it up then it was to send it back. Then He shows me a box of brand new LS1 billet cam Blanks He got in. They came from the same company that Comp gets them from. Tells me He can grind any cam spec I want for $250 Next time I will go straight to him. I can get it The next day for less money.