Wiping a cam lobe [Archive] - Racingjunk Forums

Scooterz

01-25-2010, 02:56 PM

Anyone ever wipe a cam lobe upon start up? Aside from a shifting valve spring, or weak material, what else can cause this? is a hydraulic more prone to this or solid lifter? Sorry for the 20 questions, but my neighbor just had this happen on a motor that was fresh, but broke in he claims. His motor is a SBC/Pump gas, 10.5 to 1, high volume oil pump, hyd. lifter, mild cam. Thanks, Scoot

zipper06

01-25-2010, 03:22 PM

Had a friend just wipe 2 lobes on a brand new 468, spring seat pressure 100 lbs., comp cam and lifters. Used cam lube, ran the engine for 20 min. @ 2,000 rpm. Drove it less than 100 miles, DONE wiped.
The cam companies are blaming it on the new oils no ZINC but i think it goes a lot further than that. I think the cam companies are buying chinese lifters and maybe imported unfinished shafts and there's not a one of them that will stand behind their products when this happens.

JMO

Zip.

JimmySmith

01-25-2010, 04:10 PM

I have had this several times in last 2-3 years and I use the EOS and break in with a 1.3 rocker and these springs are 100-120 lbs. What I have been told is only one company in USA makes lifters and the quailty is not there but we have no choice unless you buy the ceranmic coated lifters and that costs to much. I have lost lobes with 4 diff cam co. Later J.Smith 4621 racing :cry:

Scooterz

01-25-2010, 04:36 PM

Interesting... I just read an article in Chevy performance that claims Zinc is to blame too... said that many oil manufacturers are having to conform to new emission/laws. Seems dubious... but I am a rookie at best.

dynaguy03

01-25-2010, 05:34 PM

cepx111

01-25-2010, 09:10 PM

Ive read the Zinc is a major contributor to this issue too. I use Lucas TB ZINC additive on every oil change .
Even if theres a slight chance.. its worth it to me to add the zinc and not push it on wiping out a cam

Thanks

X2 add all the zinc you can at break in, cheap chink parts dont help either.

I think anybody that has ever tried to break in a flat tappet cam in anything over the last 10 years has wiped one or more out.
One of the main reasons I switched to roller cams, and maybe even the reason the big '3' switched too> just my 2 cents.

Cp

rob41willys

01-27-2010, 10:24 PM

If you are running a flat tappet cam and not using an oil with extra zinc and zdp you are asking for trouble!

oldandtired

01-28-2010, 05:15 AM

zipper06

01-28-2010, 08:58 PM

I have ruined several (solid flat tappet cams) and for no good reason.

New procedure:

Make the upgrade to direct lube lifters.
x2 on ZDP.
x2 on reduced ratio rockers or remove inner valve spring on break in.

This really works....

Dave

Dave you hit the nail on the head, i've got a .590/.595 Bullit flat tappet cam i ran about 10 yrs. ago in my Malibu with a 406 motor. It was/is awsome. I've lost/misplaced the original lifters and i want to put it in my 406" motor for my Prosteet truck. I have a new set of lifters but don't know the quality of the lifters and i don't want too lose this cam. I've got 135 lbs spring pressure on the track 1 heads and i'm almost afraid to fire it up. This cam has seen about 100 passes and is perfect condition from 10 yrs ago. I'm thinking about nitriding the lifters. a cheap process, but not sure yet.

Zip.

dragonmaster093

01-28-2010, 09:05 PM

took me awhile to chime in because had to find article but they say rottella and deisel oils have the zinc too as an option

kwkracing

01-28-2010, 10:32 PM

Never had a cam issue, always run half rotella, half conventonial oil

Tod74

01-29-2010, 12:13 AM

I have not used a flat tappet since around 1997...but when I used them in the past I never ever even allowed them to break in properly(fast idle 20 minutes) and I have never lost a lobe. I never used light springs either to break in...just used the ones for the cam I had.I always fired them up and held the rpm up just enough to keep it running a little fast until it warmed up enough to idle. Must be just lucky. Either that or it is the oil??? :?

mooneye777

01-31-2010, 06:05 AM

I would not use anything othere then a roller set up now. It cost a lot more but its money well spent to keep that from happening.

Scooterz

01-31-2010, 05:36 PM

Agreed. Nearest I can tell, this latest motor was a a crate motor w/ a flat tappet cam/pusrod slammer. Sad... it was fresh & he was all excited about driving the ol coupe.

murrayjest

08-25-2022, 04:03 AM

I never used light springs either to break in...just used the ones for the cam I had.I always fired them up and held the rpm up just enough to keep it running a little fast until it warmed up enough to idle. Must be just lucky. Either that or it is the oil??? :?Nox (https://downloadnox.onl/) Vidmate (https://vidmate.vet/) VLC (https://vlc.onl/)