Topic: Fuel Pump Cam Lob is Toast
in Forum: C3 Engines
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Former Member
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Stanley, NC - USA
Joined: 8/9/2010
Posts: 91
Vette(s): 1981, dark blue w/carmel interior. 350 stock, auto tranny, Q-jet carb, ECM box
Hope you never have this issue but cam lob for fuel pump rod is toast. Solved this with new 350/195HP GM crate engine. She is running fine now. Possible cause or factor is these current motor oils are not the best for these flat tappet cams. Think AmsOil from now on for me.
Tommy
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That's one smooth lobe, Tommy! Glad you got it straightened out!
Barry
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Stanley, NC - USA
Joined: 8/9/2010
Posts: 91
Vette(s): 1981, dark blue w/carmel interior. 350 stock, auto tranny, Q-jet carb, ECM box
Yes Barry the lob is smooth just don't believe the angle is factory spec now. You should see the end of the push rod, will only fit one way to marriage up with the slope of the lob. Also it was rather difficult to remove push rod from block, Dub had to weld a piece onto fuel pump end of rod and use a puller to get rod out.
But these classic cars are fun......just at times expenses too.
Tommy
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
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Looks like the pump rod was stuck, as in not spinning properly....dang the luck...
How do all of the other valve lobes look, tho?
How do all of the other valve lobes look, tho?
Joel Adams
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Former Member
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Stanley, NC - USA
Joined: 8/9/2010
Posts: 91
Vette(s): 1981, dark blue w/carmel interior. 350 stock, auto tranny, Q-jet carb, ECM box
Most other lobes looked fair, #5's were wore down some, most all have some degree of wear on points. All in all was a rather expensive project but we went back with almost all new items while engine was out so at least now we know what we got and no bubba work done on it now.
Really concern about this oil one can get today. From research most lack ZDPP and Amsoil is looking to be my choice so not to have future issues. Need that Zinc to coat and protect better.Tommy
Just out of curiousity, what oil were you using? Have you ever added the ZDDP oil additive when you changed your oil? So many car owners dont realize that todays oils do not have Zinc in them to help lubricate flat tappet cams. Its not talked about when these companies advertise their oils. Zinc in oil is said to cause converter failure. However lack of zinc or ZDDP causes failure to our older flat tappet cams! Good luck with your new engine. I am sure you will be very happy with it. Keep us posted on your progress.
Rodney
Rodney
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Duncanville, TX - USA
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Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
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#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
I wouldn't be too quick to blame this failure strictly on the oil. There were several years, starting in '78, that GM had a serious problem with the cam supplier(s), and I've seen tons of these cams go flat like that....it doesn't matter what kind/brand of oil is used. Not to say that oil with a higher zinc content wouldn't help, 'cause it would.....but it won't negate the fact that the cams were not hardened properly to start with, and they didn't have the proper "slope" ground in, to keep the lifters spinning in the bores. 
Joel Adams
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Former Member
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Stanley, NC - USA
Joined: 8/9/2010
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Vette(s): 1981, dark blue w/carmel interior. 350 stock, auto tranny, Q-jet carb, ECM box
[QUOTE=rod7515]Just out of curiousity, what oil were you using? Have you ever added the ZDDP oil additive when you changed your oil? So many car owners dont realize that todays oils do not have Zinc in them to help lubricate flat tappet cams. Its not talked about when these companies advertise their oils. Zinc in oil is said to cause converter failure. However lack of zinc or ZDDP causes failure to our older flat tappet cams! Good luck with your new engine. I am sure you will be very happy with it. Keep us posted on your progress.
Rodney
[/QUOTE]
Rodney
[/QUOTE]
I was using Havoline 10w-40 and no did not add ZDDP........so maybe my bad mistake. We have RotellaT oil in now for breakin period on new engine and plan on changing that out in 400-500 miles and then going to use Amsoil...not sure of which one as of now but Dub is researching that and whatever he says to use I will use.
Tommy
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Duncanville, TX - USA
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 20214
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56
My Link
(click for Texas-sized view!) NCRS
"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Former Member
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Frederick, MD - USA
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Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
[QUOTE=Almond81Vette][QUOTE=rod7515]Just out of curiousity, what oil were you using? Have you ever added the ZDDP oil additive when you changed your oil? So many car owners dont realize that todays oils do not have Zinc in them to help lubricate flat tappet cams. Its not talked about when these companies advertise their oils. Zinc in oil is said to cause converter failure. However lack of zinc or ZDDP causes failure to our older flat tappet cams! Good luck with your new engine. I am sure you will be very happy with it. Keep us posted on your progress.
Rodney
[/QUOTE]
Rodney
[/QUOTE]
I was using Havoline 10w-40 and no did not add ZDDP........so maybe my bad mistake. We have RotellaT oil in now for breakin period on new engine and plan on changing that out in 400-500 miles and then going to use Amsoil...not sure of which one as of now but Dub is researching that and whatever he says to use I will use.
[/QUOTE]
It seems to me that even if you used oil with ZDDP it would not have prevented the cam wiping...it would only have delayed it awhile. It could have happened at a time and place that could have been most inconvenient, as if any time is convenient.
Several months ago I had a mishap in one of my fun cars (not my Vette)...complete brake failure as I was in the garage. I put it in reverse and the brake pedal went to the floor as the car shot backwards. The bad part? I have...had...a bad habit of leaving the door open until it's about to move...the door hit the wall and was pulled all the way around to the front quarter panel. It happened so fast I was simply unable to get the door closed in time...my bad!
The result...new front quarter panel, new door and hinges and a repaint. It's still in the body shop and getting made better than before but it will still be several weeks before it's done.
My wife said to consider myself lucky...I could have been on the highway when it happened instead of in the garage. The same goes for you and a wiped cam...it could have happened far from home.
in Forum: C3 Engines
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