jaki30

I am looking to buy a late 70s 4spd. I am old enough to remember there was an issue with a soft cam lobe. I do know many L-82 motors had the problem, but, don't recall any L48 issues. Was this cam problem just on the L-82 motors? Thanks.

64roadster

GM had reached an Consent Agreement with the FTC re: soft cam shafts in 305 and 350 engines starting from 1974 model year. The published information wasn't very specific on applications. If you do a Google search you will find the limited data.

bj1k

It seemed to be a common problem with all of the Chevy engines back then. I remember it well. We replaces many prematurely worn cams .

64roadster

It crossed product lines into other divisions as well.

gungatim

I know we had that problem in our new '79 350 suburban, cam broke in several pieces, so it went on through late 70's in some small blocks at least. don't know about the vette specifically, but recall the place that rebuilt the engine (I was a teen and used to hang out there and watch) was a vette performance place (long out of business) and recall the owner saying he did a lot of those. That is where I saw my first supercharger, they were installing it on a '80 beige vette. sorry if I'm rambling...

KYC4

The early 1980s saw this issue (to a lesser degree) with the L69 305 HO that was installed in the F-bodys of the time ('83-'84). These engines were known to run a bit hotter too though especially if they were abused and not taken care of.

Later,

Lee

bj1k

Yes I know . I just mentioned chevy because that is what I mostly work on.

Pop Chevy

I worked at a GM dealership in the early 70's and got quite good at changing cams. However, saying that I don't see how one of the soft cams would have made it this long unless you are looking at a very low mile car. I wouldn't worry bout it too much.

bobs77vet

I agree, I would not worry to much about an OEM cam being bad at this point....either it is bad now and you will know by lack of power and other things or its not an issue

jaki30

Thanks.
The car is a mid teens for mileage. The more I think about it, the less I am inclined to consider a low mile late 70s car. Between potential oil/fluid leaks, bearing grease that may have hardened in a 37 y/o car etc., I may try to re-think what I really want.