The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop cam wear?? not oiling??

was drivin along normal and suddenly acted like outta gas - pulled over popped carb top off w/ a penny - empty!! not outta gas - got some and dumped in the carb - only runs w/ 1/2 choke, tho warm - ok, not choke, high RPM - tensed on home, checked everything - pump not pumpin much pulled it out to check - what?? finger in the hole seems like cam worn too - is this thing not oilin or what? anybody had this happen? might be an original pump w/ 80,000 miles on the 235, but I've never seen such a thing . . .

Bill

What does the cam lobe look like? Is it galled as bad as that lever? :confused:
Is the pump more difficult than normal to operate (by hand)?
You have me wondering..........

can't actually see the cam - motor in truck - felt a little worn in the spot where it was when I took it off - gonna bump it around w/ the starter and feel other spots tomorrow when I put the new pump in that's gonna be here in the mornin - on the bench it seems fine and shows acceptable vacuum in and pressure out - thought [for 30 seconds] about building it up w/ weld and it would prolly work - for a bit.

question is, do I have a "Chiphead situation" and oughta pull the cam? what's the oiling at that point? is something plugged maybe? the motor sat for about 18 - 24 months unused. do those actuator arms normally wear much B4 they die?

Bill

I think the original cams in the 235s had a problem like the ones in the V8s from the 70s and 80s. The cam in the 57 235 I put in my 37 had a couple of worn lobes,the guy I bought it off of said it could be dropped in without doing anything to it. I am glad I did not listen to him,I rebuilt it. If its only the pump lobe,get a block off plate and use a electric pump untill you want to change the cam.

Jeez Bill

Between you and Chip--seems to be cam horror week. I guess you got no oil pressure indication. Hope u don't have to pull that cam--but looks like a lotta wear--I'd be suspicious that cam lobe ain't much better.

I got a few pertinent questions at this point:

1: Do we have to pull oil pan to remove cam? (assume the timing cover mod was done)

2: How to inspect cam bearings with oil pan on?

3: Since I can't re-use the melling timing gear, do I have to change the crank gear? (no removal holes, so not easy to pull)

no, I got decent oil pressure - just not sure it's gettin everywhere, specially as this thing has always had a bit of valve train noise - this is a never-apart Canadian 57 truck motor, w/ an honest 80,000 miles - old mechanic friend here looked at the style pump and agreed it's very likely original.

found when I put in new pump today, and went around tiddlin everything up that the connection at the tank was a couple turns loose and was weepin just enough under pressure that I'm sure it sucked some air there all the time and made the pump work harder.

still wonder how I check the cam out w/o major tear down - see from Chips situation this ain't an easy fix! if I hafta do major surgery on this thing, I think I'd wanna do a total rebuild, and money's gotta do a 283 right now!

Bill

If the cam lobe is damaged it will only be the one the fuel pump rides on. If the new fuel pump works fine then don't worry about it.

You can check the cam by measuring the lift of each valve at the rocker arm with a dial indicator and comparing the results. The lift of the intakes should all match each other within the tolerance of the valve lash setting. Same with the exhausts. All you have to pull to check that is the valve cover.