I had a lobe go flat on break-in. Installed a new cam and lifters and performed several oil changes and engine lasted. Dan I hope it works out for you also. Also don't mean to step on your message thread but a thought occurred to me. I know that it is best practice to install new lifters with a new cam due to wear patterns. How about on a roller cam can the roller lifters be reused, as they don't rotate like hydraulic or solid lifters?
Started the re-assembly today ... I smothered that sucker with Cam Lube .. Had two lobes gone on the Cam. Still got about another two hours of work before I can start it ...gonna have to wait until tomorrow .. What a pain in the A$$!
You cannot get too much install lube and when it starts after installation, run that sucker at 2 grand or better for at least 2 minutes, after verifying oil pressure of course
Just a note to the last post refer to the cam instuctions for runtime and speed for breaking in the cam. It usually is 2500-3000 RPM with some variations and speed changes thr the whole procedure (not at one constant RPM) and this procedure usually take 20-30 minutes of time running
Thanks for all the tips. Does a windage tray effect lifter and lobe oiling? I had one laying around so I installed it. I also used the Ford Method of valve adjustment. Adjust some at TDC, then TDC + 180 degrees and then an additional 270 degrees for the final set of valves. I figure this method only has the Cam spin one time and not scrape so much lube off the lobes and lifters like other valve adjustment techniques would have .. It's also nice adjusting the valves with the intake off and you can see the exact amount of preload that is being put on the lifter. Should have it running tonight .... Got my first car show tomorrow and am trying to make sure I make it .... The higher RPM's make sense. I had read on a website about lifter load on the cam lobes. The load is highest at idle and decreases as RPM increases. I don't understand the physics but the higher the RPM the less stress that is being put on the new lifters and lobes ...
Just finished 25 minutes of 2200 to 3400 RPM running on the new cam ... gonna let it cool off a little and change the oil ... So far so good ..
Windage trays add HP and don't affect the cam lobe lubrication. The lobes are lubed by the oil in the valley that comes from the rockers. PaulS
Yeah! Successful test drive ... Runs very strong with a nice push you back in the seat feeling ... Not bad considering a 3.25 rear and close ratio TopLoader ... If I had known better I would have gotten a wide ratio ... Thanks too all who offered words of wisdom!
