Comp Cam Failures XE274
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
found the thread
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...p+cam+failures
ok to add to the list ryan77 and 69monzaredbigblock
heres the failures...
ryan77
69redmonzabigblock
80texasc3...wiped two and installed a third one (he gets the brass ***** award
)
73c34me..wiped one...what did you install the second time?
money pit had a failure on one XE and success with another
steveg75 had two failures
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...p+cam+failures
ok to add to the list ryan77 and 69monzaredbigblock
heres the failures...
ryan77
69redmonzabigblock
80texasc3...wiped two and installed a third one (he gets the brass ***** award
)73c34me..wiped one...what did you install the second time?
money pit had a failure on one XE and success with another
steveg75 had two failures
Last edited by bobs77vet; Jun 30, 2005 at 11:21 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 375
Likes: 0
From: LaSalle ON
Xe274
XE274H in an SBC here. 10000 miles, so far so good...
Not to hijack, but...
I have the heads & intake off the motor. Obviously all of the oil is drained. Do I have to go through any particular cam break-in when I re-assemble everything?
Thanks
Not to hijack, but...
I have the heads & intake off the motor. Obviously all of the oil is drained. Do I have to go through any particular cam break-in when I re-assemble everything?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by vettenoir
XE274H in an SBC here. 10000 miles, so far so good...
Not to hijack, but...
I have the heads & intake off the motor. Obviously all of the oil is drained. Do I have to go through any particular cam break-in when I re-assemble everything?
Thanks
Not to hijack, but...
I have the heads & intake off the motor. Obviously all of the oil is drained. Do I have to go through any particular cam break-in when I re-assemble everything?
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 669
From: FL
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
found the thread
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...p+cam+failures
ok to add to the list ryan77 and 69monzaredbigblock
heres the failures...
ryan77
69redmonzabigblock
80texasc3...wiped two and installed a third one (he gets the brass ***** award )
73c34me..wiped one...what did you install the second time?
money pit had a failure on one XE and success with another
steveg75 had two failures
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...p+cam+failures
ok to add to the list ryan77 and 69monzaredbigblock
heres the failures...
ryan77
69redmonzabigblock
80texasc3...wiped two and installed a third one (he gets the brass ***** award
)73c34me..wiped one...what did you install the second time?
money pit had a failure on one XE and success with another
steveg75 had two failures
I agree that at least one of my failures was due to a bad break-in which is why I went roller on the rebuild.
However, if I install according to Comps instructions, use their lube, and run it at 2000+ for 20+ minutes, I feel that a backyard mechanic should have no problems. The instructions make no mention of 1.3 rockers, EOS, special moly lube. I had a Crane flat tappet before with no problem using their lube, stock rockers, etc.
My point is that the average backyard mechanic should not have to use special techniques for what is supposed to be a easy cam swap if you follow the manufactuers directions. Just my $0.02.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by SteveG75
Bob,
I agree that at least one of my failures was due to a bad break-in which is why I went roller on the rebuild. .....
I agree that at least one of my failures was due to a bad break-in which is why I went roller on the rebuild. .....
revised list
heres the failures...
ryan77
69redmonzabigblock
80texasc3...wiped two and installed a third one (he gets the brass ***** award )
73c34me..wiped one...what did you install the second time?
money pit had a failure on one XE and success with another
steveg75 had two failures,one of which is attributed to bad break in proceedure
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 2,672
Likes: 1
From: New Cumberland PA
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
just for the record i don't buy the whole XE series is crap line....
As for keeping track of which cams failed, it's a good idea. However, many members will not posting in this thread. It will takes many months as different members will post in different threads. I think it will certainly be evident that the XE will be on top.
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 10,039
Likes: 669
From: FL
Originally Posted by bobs77vet
what do you attribute the other failure to? and thanks for the honesty on the break in...thats something that not many people own up to, instead they blame the product...
Prior to that, I had an XE262 which ran fine for 5000 miles. It could have failed at break in and I never noticed (just lashed it up tight as it wore down).
Or, it could have been a lubrication problem later. No idea.Interestingly enough, both failures were on #3. The first was the exhaust, the second was the intake.
I am starting to think that I could have gone one step bigger on my roller. I'll just save that idea for my next project.
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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
Originally Posted by mandm1200
There seems to [be] more failures on these cams than on other cams. ........
thats the issue we will see, i started a Poll with no time period for closing it .....after a while we can start a similar one on the other Cam manufactures....Anectdotal stories and theories abound....lets actually see the facts...good or bad
heres the poll....http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...764&forum_id=3
Last edited by bobs77vet; Jul 1, 2005 at 10:16 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,014
Likes: 2,257
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Just another side note on breakin.....
When doing the "above 2000 rpm for the first 20 minutes " deal..you need to vary the rpms...wing it a few times....run it at 2000.....2500...3000 for a few seconds etc...
Don't just set fast idle at 2000 rpm and walk away.
I've seen some tests that demonstrate that at particular rpms there is a distinct pattern to oil flying off crank and rods as well as windage in general. It's VERY possible to starve a particular set of lobes during the break in process by remaining at a constant rpm. That might explain the two failures on #3.
Same thing new car owners manuals say....don't run at a constant speed...vary speeds (rpm) during break in.
Hope this helps,
JIM
When doing the "above 2000 rpm for the first 20 minutes " deal..you need to vary the rpms...wing it a few times....run it at 2000.....2500...3000 for a few seconds etc...
Don't just set fast idle at 2000 rpm and walk away.
I've seen some tests that demonstrate that at particular rpms there is a distinct pattern to oil flying off crank and rods as well as windage in general. It's VERY possible to starve a particular set of lobes during the break in process by remaining at a constant rpm. That might explain the two failures on #3.
Same thing new car owners manuals say....don't run at a constant speed...vary speeds (rpm) during break in.
Hope this helps,
JIM
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,130
Likes: 106
From: laingsburg MI
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
XE 294 replacement post lobe failure
I replaced it with the exact same cam. I out-lined my break in on the previous thread. I now have approx. 2k miles and no problems. I use 1.6 ratio rockers. lift at valve is .565" intake .590" exhaust.
