383 cam to use or not to

[nothingman]

had this 66 383 rebuilt then it sat for some years, buddy said just prime it then break it in... so we did. seemed to be ok but after like 50-100 miles it started ticking. adjusted the rockers but couldn't get rid of the ticks, put about 200 miles on the motor. pulled the lifters the ones i got apart looked really dirty inside, couldn't get the rest apart to clean so decided to go with some new lifters... but before i throw the new ones in i started to worry about the cam being the issue and if that was the case i'd hope to catch it before having to rebuild the entire motor... here are some pics of the worst looking lobe, which is still smooth to the touch even rubbing the fingernail across. then pictures of the other lobes which look similar to most and i've included a pic of the lifter valley which looks to have some metal along with the oil filter cut open. thanks all!

 

[Xp29h]

Doesn't look good. From what I understand a cam can and will go bad quickly during a break in period. i think time to replace! Good luck.. I'm sure someone will add some info too..

 

[MoparMitch]

Looks like it got hot on the peak of the lobes. I'd check further into it.

 

[mopar 3 B]

At what rpm's did the cam get broke in at? Our did you just take it out and drive it? If that was a new cam better be looking at the bearing in the bottom end also.

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Also it was stated the rockers were adjusted. Stock 66 rockers were not adjustable. Can you post some valve trane pictures?

 

[383man]

Whats the bottom of the lifters look like ? Can you post pics of the lifter bottoms ? Ron

 

[nothingman]

broke in the cam at about 2000 rpm varying it up and down without load for about 30 mins, then took it out on the road for 200 miles varying speeds accelerating up and down... at about 50 to 100 miles in when the tick started. after that adjusted lifters with 3/4 to full turn but ticking on a few never left but would quiet up once pressure from a wooden handle was applied to pushrod side of rock arm... that's when i thought lifters so i bought some new ones but i got worried about the cam and didn't want the lobes to start falling apart.

rockers are aftermarket crower adjustables


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lifters looked ok for the most part, but most i couldn't get apart. the ones i could had a bunch of thick nasty looking oil assembly lube? in them with some crud. the one lifter pictured had some pitting but in the middle of the wear circle.


most lifter bottoms looked like this one

 

[lewtot184]

i imagine you will get similar replys here as you got over at moparts. the cam isn't broke but seems to show more wear than i'd expect for 200 miles. leave it all together or change it all. 3/4 turn is .030" preload, probably not enough.

 

[mopar 3 B]

I would start with maybe a .020 gauge and pull them down till quiet and lock in place. Yes you will have to have it running and warmed up to do it. Or could just pull them down a 1/2 turn cold and shut off. Just make sure their on the flat of the lobe.

 

[Meep-Meep]

That's pretty normal wear for a few thousand miles or more but seems excessive for 200. The Parkerizing is still evident on the base circle but what concerns me is the wide shiny spot all the way across the toe of the lobe. Check your valve spring pressure as it may be excessive.

 

[lewtot184]

the shiny spot is a lobe without a lot of nose radius. i think there's pro's and con's to the nose radius thing.