So I just moved about a half hour away from my job and on my commute I started to hear a clacking noise from the motor. I get to work and pop the hood and sure enough it sounds like a rocker has come loose. I get off work and tighten it up and drive home. Half way home the noise returns. That night I pulled the intake and the lifter to see what was going on. The lifter for #6 exhaust is dead, it was dished. I replaced the offending lifter and set out for another day of work only to have the noise return.:( The question I have is, did I just experience the death of my cam?

I am really frustrated with this right now because this is the only car I have to get to work.

Unfortunately, yes. :mad:

Yes you have wiped out a lobe. Happened to me during break in with a hyd cam in my 427.

Unfortunately, yes. :mad:

I agree. That sucks.

Bryan

I had this happen to a friend of mine along time ago. If you pull the plug the noise will go away but it is not a good fix:crazy:

If the lifter is trash, so is the cam and vice versa.

I had that feeling, but thanks for confirming the bad news. I guess the good news is the Camaro gets new parts. Thanks again.

I had that feeling, but thanks for confirming the bad news. I guess the good news is the Camaro gets new parts. Thanks again.

LOL...that's the best way to look at it!! :)

Almost 6 months later and I finally get the chance to get the cam out. What would I do without the help of this board. As predicted the cam is toast. It will certainly be missed. I have an Isky 270 mega going in to take it's place. Along with a set of Harland Sharp roller rockers. Below for your viewing enjoyment is the dead Crane 272.
http://i11.photobucket.com/albums/a173/extinction1/IMG_5638.jpg

Hmmm... If you don't mind me asking, how many miles were on that cam? How did you break it in (did you use rotella or GM E.O.S., etc...)?

I HATE flat tappet cams. I have had a boat load of trouble with them. Now everything I have has a roller. Even my 84 k-10 has one and it is a nearly stock 355 with a tiny speed pro retro fit roller. I won't build another flat tappet.

Hmmm... If you don't mind me asking, how many miles were on that cam? How did you break it in (did you use rotella or GM E.O.S., etc...)?

The cam has about 10k on it. When I broke in the cam I used castrol 30 wieght. I also didn't pull the inner valve springs (which will happen this time around).

With today's aggressive cam profiles, the decrease of needed ZDDP additives in today's oils, and the use of some "off-shore" lifters; there's a lot more precautions when building engines with FT cams. You gotta pay close attention to what's going on.

When using a FT cam:
Always use the recommended valve springs and quality lifters
Make sure your machinist "trues" your lifter bores during the block prep when using an Hi-Per cam
Make sure your valve train geometry is optimum and adjust the lifter pre-load correctly during assembly
Always use a ZPPD suppliment if the oil you use is the "newer formula"
Follow cam break-in proceedures like the gospel