Who has NEVER had a cam or lifter go bad?

[66fs]

I've been reading the tech book by Billy Godbold recently. Lots of interesting info in it plus quite a bit over my head. I'm close to being done with it but I came across one portion I'm tempted to call b/s on. He states that in the 80's, GM and Ford had many issues with cams/lifters going bad, even with the high ZDDP oils back then. This warranty issue was the reason why the manufactures went to roller's. The first dealer I worked at, 86, was a Chevy, Mercedes and Bounder RV dealer. I never saw any cam/lifter issues happening when I worked parts. Was there for about a year and a half. We did do quite a few 454's under warranty on the RV's. Enough to where there were usually 6+ short and long blocks on hand. The RV's, due to the owners, would kill quite a few from being overloaded. Some even wiped out the thrust mains in the blocks. But no cam/lifter issues. Prior to that I worked at a speed shop and did move a decent amount of cams/lifter's but just as upgrades generally. Around 92, I got back to another GM dealer, Buick/Pontiac/GMC plus Subaru and Isuzu. No cams/lifters. From there Mopar and GM dealers for another 12 years. No cams/lifter issues. I never worked at a Ford dealer, so I have no knowledge of said issues there. Maybe some of you fellow gents who wrenched at dealers in your past have knowledge of this issue. If it actually happened.

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I rebuilt a lot of SBC in the 70's and 80's. Their cams and lifters were junk. Lobes were round and lifters were very dished. they all went to scrap. But they were only warranted for 30,000 miles. Ford and Mopar engines would go for 100,000 miles if you took care of them. Other GM engines were higher quality that the Chevy's and would last pretty good also.

 

[3sloppydogs]

Yup I had two new chevy trucks in the 80s one with a 305 the other had a 350. Both of those wiped the cam around 50k miles and they were stock. I have never bought another GM product. My mopars never failed nor the couple 302 fords I had.

 

[mmissile]

Never from use. I've had to replace lifters from new engines sitting too long. Just precautionary.

 

[ckessel]

I talked with my old boss from the speed shop about bad cams. He did say that with his two fleet accounts, utility companies, there were issues of cams going flat. They found it happened from extended idling causing less splash to the needed areas. That made sense.

 

[66fs]

This is a serious question.
Bad news goes everywhere but good news often hides in the shadows. I know that there are many of you that have never had a cam go flat so let's hear from you! ...

I've never wiped a cam, but have not rebuilt many engines in the last 5 years. I usually run Isky or Racer Brown cams and lifters with less than 300 lb valve spring open pressure. I just run Valvoline Racing 30wt oil. I don't build on the bleeding edge of lift, very fast ramps, or cheap cams or lifters. I also typically run solid flat tappet cams. I always have the engine ready to start and run it up to 3,000 rpm for a while.

 

[dodgeboy440]

I've never wiped a cam, but have not rebuilt many engines in the last 5 years. I usually run Isky or Racer Brown cams and lifters with less than 300 lb valve spring open pressure. I just run Valvoline Racing 30wt oil. I don't build on the bleeding edge of lift, very fast ramps, or cheap cams or lifters. I also typically run solid flat tappet cams. I always have the engine ready to start and run it up to 3,000 rpm for a while.

Fyi

For my record , I’ve never had cam or lifter

Problems….

I have Used Isky , SigErson , Direct Connection, Melling , Comp , etc ……

Also have used Rhoads Lifters , Solids , Anything from Wheaton Auto Parts “ WAP” back in the day .

BUT I always liked Amalie Pro Oils And STP!
I used that good-N-gooey Stuff on everything I could . Seemed to work !!

AND when I installed a new cam & lifters I always used a Moly grease as the lube !
Yes Molybdenum Disulfide Grease !

Never any issues…..

If I was doin it again today with roller cams or roller lifters on a HEMI / LS / of my 440 I’d be inclined to check …. Check …… check ….. my
Spring pressures & all parts thoroughly to ensure it’s all kosher ….
And never cheep out ! Always buy the best
Stuff I could !

Mopar2ya !!

John

 

[66fs]

AND when I installed a new cam & lifters I always used a Moly grease as the lube !
Yes Molybdenum Disulfide Grease !

Never any issues…..

I always had problems with Moly grease. It would clog fiters in a short time and result in ZERO oil pressure. If you go this route prepare to drain the oil and change the oil filter after cam break in. Then again shortly there after, less than 50 miles.

 

[Ceedawg]

I always had problems with Moly grease. It would clog fiters in a short time and result in ZERO oil pressure. If you go this route prepare to drain the oil and change the oil filter after can break in. Then again shortly there after, less than 50 miles.

I never had that problem, in fact every cam came with the little black tub to coat the cam-lifters with. The lifter face and lobe only. If not using this could be reason cams are failing?!

 

[dodgeboy440]

I always had problems with Moly grease. It would clog fiters in a short time and result in ZERO oil pressure. If you go this route prepare to drain the oil and change the oil filter after cam break in. Then again shortly there after, less than 50 miles.

Everything in moderation….
I never had any problems with it!
And
Always was changing oil & filters proactively!
And
No cam or lifter issues thankfully!
Even with my race Hemi / triple springs
590 cam. , Hilborn Injection , that thing wouldn’t idle under 1500 rpm. …..
13.5 Arias Pistons , Slurping Sunoco 260
, Magneto Magic Lights The fires ,
What fun while it lasted , what a learning
Or “ Learing” IF you’re in Minnesota…eh!!
Mopar2ya!!
John

 

[66fs]

Everything in moderation….
I never had any problems with it!
And
Always was changing oil & filters proactively!
And
No cam or lifter issues thankfully!
Even with my race Hemi / triple springs
590 cam. , Hilborn Injection , that thing wouldn’t idle under 1500 rpm. …..
13.5 Arias Pistons , Slurping Sunoco 260
, Magneto Magic Lights The fires ,
What fun while it lasted , what a learning
Or “ Learing” IF you’re in Minnesota…eh!!
Mopar2ya!!
John

Yeah, unfortunately a friend of mine ruined a 351W Ford engine. I told him not to use Moly, but he read in a magazine it was good. He did not change the oil and filter and just started daily driving it. I got the panicked call that he suddenly had no oil pressure...

 

[dodgeboy440]

Yeah, unfortunately a friend of mine ruined a 351W Ford engine. I told him not to use Moly, but he read in a magazine it was good. He did not change the oil and filter and just started daily driving it. I got the panicked call that he suddenly had no oil pressure...

IMO

Moly did not cause that !

It’s a lubricant, naysers …..

Some people……..

Keyboard Clowns I say !

Mopar2ya!

John

 

[66fs]

No doubt it was the Moly. Just a warning, do as you wish.

 

[Kern Dog]

Proving that the universe adores I R O N Y....
Two things that greatly reduce anxiety when starting up a fresh rebuild for the first time is a ROLLER cam or a flat tappet cam that has been ran before and it has the matching lifters in order.
The LAST THREE engines that I rebuilt and started somehow fired up and ran within 10 seconds.
ALL THREE were as described above.
The 440/495 had a used cam of mine with matched lifters.
The 383 had a used cam with matching lifters.
I just started a 1990 360 on Friday that has a roller cam.
They all started up quickly and stayed running. No need to break in the camshafts on them.
Now in the past, I've had sudden No Spark issues crop up, I've had engines run hot requiring me to shut down and finish the break in after a cool down.