Soft Cam issues late 70s
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 710
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Soft Cam issues late 70s
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 19
From: Ocean Springs, MS
St. Jude Donor '07
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.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,060
Likes: 19
From: Ocean Springs, MS
St. Jude Donor '07
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,222
Likes: 93
From: shelbyville West Michigan
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...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 39
From: Walton KY
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...
Later,
Lee
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,436
Likes: 1,253
From: Sarver Pa
2021 C1 of the Year Finalist - Modified
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.
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Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
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
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,732
Likes: 710
From: Shelton, Connecticut
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
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.
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2024
Posts: 49
Likes: 35
From: Denver, Colorado
GM Flat Cams
I grabbed the parts and fixed it myself in the garage. Weird times back then.
