What causes this damage to a cam?

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Aug 10, 2008 | 01:39 PM

fasttimes1

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From: Fort Worth, Tx

What causes this damage to a cam?

I just pulled this cam out of my car because Im going with a different setup. I noticed some rough spots on two of the lobes. I dont really know what causes this (bad lifter?), or if the cam is usable anymore. I had intentions of selling it, but dont want to screw anyone.

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Aug 10, 2008 | 01:52 PM

Randy WS6

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The cam is definitely wiped out, It looks like the roller on the lifter locked up and was dragging on the lobe

Aug 10, 2008 | 02:32 PM

Michael V

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From: Lake Havasu

If you have a magnetic drain plug, you should have picked up increased debris with this damage. Its important to monitor this debris.

Mike V

Aug 10, 2008 | 02:33 PM

PREDATOR-Z

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From: BFE

Either that or tha cam wasn't hardened enough, but yeah, that cam is toast. Now you have to pull the heads, time to change the lifters.

Aug 10, 2008 | 04:29 PM

davered00ss

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Comp has issues with their cams a year or two back doing something similar.

Could be a number of different things. I would change the liters.

Aug 10, 2008 | 05:06 PM

fasttimes1

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From: Fort Worth, Tx

Im replacing the lifters either way, but I found very minor abnormal wear marks on only 1 lifter, and the rollers on all of them seem fine (may not be fine at engine rpm though). Heads are removed already, they are at the shop being cleaned and inspected. New lifters were in the plans already, custom grind cam will probably be ordered this week.

Thanks for the replies.

Aug 10, 2008 | 05:10 PM

vettenuts

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From: Little Rhody

Likely causes:

1. Insufficient valve spring seat force and stiffness to keep up with cam
2. Pushrod flex

Less likely but could also be:

3. Improper heat treatment of cam
4. Improper heat treatment of lifter roller
5. Inadequate lifter roller material properties (less expensive steel)

If only two lobes, check the valve springs. Also, lifters likely need replacement as well.

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Aug 11, 2008 | 10:38 AM

fasttimes1

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From: Fort Worth, Tx

Full-Force: Its not a futral cam.

vettenuts: Im running GTP Stage 2 heads which come with springs that should be able to support the lift on this cam. Along with that I have comp chrome moly push rods, but have stock lifters. Most of my valvetrain is being replaced either way: cam, springs, pushrods, lifters, & timing chain. Thanks.

Aug 11, 2008 | 11:12 AM

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vettenuts

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From: Little Rhody

I would also consider stiffer pushrods, 5/16" pushrods are pretty flexible with the springs/cam lobes typically run in an LS1.

Aug 11, 2008 | 11:43 AM

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69LT1Bird

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From: Lapeer, MI

Perhaps the lifter rotated due to a worn lifter holder, and ran sideways on the cam briefly.

Aug 11, 2008 | 12:06 PM

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ThirdGenLS1

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From: Boston

yea i would replace the lifters, cam, and run either a 11/32 or 3/8 inch pushrod

Aug 11, 2008 | 01:06 PM

#13

fasttimes1

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From: Fort Worth, Tx

Definitely going with a stiffer pushrod. Never thought about the lifter holders, Ill take a look at them.

Aug 11, 2008 | 04:41 PM

#14

vettenuts

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From: Little Rhody

Quote:

Originally Posted by fasttimes1

Never thought about the lifter holders, Ill take a look at them.

Check for one stamped "10" on the bottom, some of those have been documented as having a slight angle to the lifter and under higher spring forces wearing the roller off of the lifter.