Comp Cams Disclaimer
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
Comp Cams Disclaimer
Got my new Comp Cams HE274 for the BB yesterday.. Opened the cam kit and there is a huge letter that IMO amounted to a disclaimer for cam failure. Comp goes on and on about potential failure because of modern oils....after reading I didn't want to install the cam because they were basically told me it won't last or don't expect it to last too long.
I guess I can by their recommended "magic" lifters (they didn't feel necessary to include the "good ones" in the kit (cam and lifters) to make the the whole deal less likely to "wipe", Or I can by their additive....again they didn't include it...but recommend it. I'm assuming if I don't buy all the stuff recommended they won't warrant the cam.
Just venting cause I can see how they're not going to cover the cam if it fails
I guess I can by their recommended "magic" lifters (they didn't feel necessary to include the "good ones" in the kit (cam and lifters) to make the the whole deal less likely to "wipe", Or I can by their additive....again they didn't include it...but recommend it. I'm assuming if I don't buy all the stuff recommended they won't warrant the cam.
Just venting cause I can see how they're not going to cover the cam if it fails
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
AFAIK ... NO company has ever offered a written warranty for wiped lobe. The company is giving you a heads-up to dot your I's & cross your T's.
If the valve train is correct, cam installed correctly with new lifters & proper lube (as suggested in prior thread), properly broken-in, has scheduled oil changes w/ proper wear additives ... the cam will nearly always be OK. If you do ALL that CORRECTLY but have a failure ... sometimes the company will offer another cam (no labor).
If the valve train is correct, cam installed correctly with new lifters & proper lube (as suggested in prior thread), properly broken-in, has scheduled oil changes w/ proper wear additives ... the cam will nearly always be OK. If you do ALL that CORRECTLY but have a failure ... sometimes the company will offer another cam (no labor).
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
Understand...for some on this forum, removing and replacing a cam is no big deal and the expense is no big deal either....but it's a serious consideration for me and to be steered in the direction by the company (as I read it) to expect failure....doesn't leave me with a good feeling that this install will be sucessful or even reliable. I sure hope that by following their instructions that everything will work well in the end.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 690
Likes: 0
From: Madison WI
Do a search, the topic has been discussed quite a bit. Seems like a lot of modern oils lack the additives necessary for a lot of these cams, especially hydraulic flat-tappets. The lack of zinc seems to be a big one. All this results from tighter EPA restrictions on emissions and all that...
From what I've heard, using Rotella 15w-40 diesel oil is an excellent choice, since it has plenty of these additives that the cams require and is readily available from places like NAPA. Other guys are using various racing oils with success. Good luck
From what I've heard, using Rotella 15w-40 diesel oil is an excellent choice, since it has plenty of these additives that the cams require and is readily available from places like NAPA. Other guys are using various racing oils with success. Good luck
NCM Grand Opening Veteran
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 20,979
Likes: 384
From: South of giving a damn
St. Jude Donor '11, '17
Originally Posted by 73 red vette
Return it to them gor a refund and tell them why and then buy one from a co. that will stand behind their product. no biggie
Any flat tappet cam from any manufacturer will require proper oils or additives. This is a lawyer label. No one stands behind their cams, if you don't use the proper lubes. As stated before, search on oils. There are several additives, racing oils, & diesel oils that will provide the proper lube for flat tappets. My understanding is that diesel oils will be reformulated in the coming years & the zincs will be drasticly lowered. The obvious solution is to move to rollers, but for many people that's a large chunk to bite off.
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Drifting
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 1,323
Likes: 2
From: Castle Hills Texas
Originally Posted by Hvymtlc5
Understand...for some on this forum, removing and replacing a cam is no big deal and the expense is no big deal either....but it's a serious consideration for me and to be steered in the direction by the company (as I read it) to expect failure....doesn't leave me with a good feeling that this install will be sucessful or even reliable. I sure hope that by following their instructions that everything will work well in the end.
For what it is worth, I put a CC 268H with CC lifters in my '80 and have had no issues with it. I broke the cam in with the their supplied 'red goop' and Quakerstate 30w in the crankcase.
Take a deep breath and move forward.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 6,134
Likes: 46
From: Raleigh North Carolina
If you buy their springs, check them on an accurate, calibrated spring tester. The last set I bought were more than 10% below the minimum on 31 of 32 measurements (16 open, 16 closed). I called and had them pull a set off the shelf & test them before they sent me a replacement set..... same thing .... off the shelf out of spec.
Buyer beware.
I have a RIMAC professional spring tester and CompCams calibration spring made specifically for the RIMAC.
No way to philosophize out of this one.
Buyer beware.
I have a RIMAC professional spring tester and CompCams calibration spring made specifically for the RIMAC.
No way to philosophize out of this one.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 3,472
Likes: 18
From: Lake Ozark, MO
I will follow their procedures to the tee.....the heads are being completed again today (for the thrid time). Maybe I can get her running next week and the feelings of mental dispair and many $$ down the toilet will go away.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Wouldnt worry about it, any cam with an agressive ramp will have a shorter life. Put it in and drive the pee out of it, just make sure the valvesprings are set up correctly . Its my opinion that most failures are due to improper installation/setup. Had no problems with an XE 284 that I abused regularly. .
OR,
Put a 30 ear old grind in with gentle ramps and drive it 100k
OR,
Put a 30 ear old grind in with gentle ramps and drive it 100k
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,958
Likes: 0
From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Originally Posted by cuisinartvette
Its my opinion that most failures are due to improper installation/setup.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,958
Likes: 0
From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Originally Posted by Brettmc
Cause YOU were drving it Corz!!
Originally Posted by Brettmc
What kind of oil did they use? Any additives?
Brett
Brett
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 3,770
Likes: 3
From: St Louis MO
Originally Posted by Hvymtlc5
Just venting cause I can see how they're not going to cover the cam if it fails
Did you get the laser-hole lifters like I suggested??
Brett