Cam Install Problem. What's wrong?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 66
From: Middletown CT
Cam Install Problem. What's wrong? Update: Found The problem
For my winter project, I'm installing a new 2002 stock GM LS6 cam in a LS1 engine that I have. I was very careful not to nick the cam bearings when I removed the old cam. When I put the new cam in it slides in easily until I reach the 4th cam bearing. I can gently coax it past that bearing, but I can tell that the cam is not spinning as freely as it should. When I get to the 5th and last bearing it will not slide on. I removed the LS6 cam and reinstalled the LS1 cam and it slide right in and turns effortlessly on the bearings, as it should, so I don't think I nicked a bearing. Can anyone tell me what the problem is? Do I have a bad cam? :confused:
[Modified by Greg_E, 6:18 PM 1/5/2004]
[Modified by Greg_E, 6:18 PM 1/5/2004]
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 66
From: Middletown CT
Re: Cam Install Problem. What's wrong? (z-u-later)
is the cam perhaps to big a lift. Just trying to get the post goin here for ya..
Good luck..
No. It should go right in. It is binding on the bearing surfaces. I'm wondering if it could have been banged around hard enough in shipping, that it is not quite straight. The heavy cardboard tube it came in was intact, but it had been banged around enough, that the cam button had punched three holes through the metal end cap on the shipping tube.
[Modified by z-u-later, 11:47 AM 1/3/2004]
Good luck..
No. It should go right in. It is binding on the bearing surfaces. I'm wondering if it could have been banged around hard enough in shipping, that it is not quite straight. The heavy cardboard tube it came in was intact, but it had been banged around enough, that the cam button had punched three holes through the metal end cap on the shipping tube.
[Modified by z-u-later, 11:47 AM 1/3/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 7,370
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From: Slave to the evil empire
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St. Jude Donor '04
Re: Cam Install Problem. What's wrong? (Greg_E)
Sounds like your LS6 cam is warped, take it to a machine shop and have them check the runout. and good luck :cheers:
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 66
From: Middletown CT
Re: Cam Install Problem. What's wrong? (runamuk)
I was afraid that was the answer I was going to get. If it's warped, it's junk, right? What would have caused this. Would it be a manufacturing defect or could it have happened in shipping. It is a brand new cam!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: delmont pa
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Re: Cam Install Problem. What's wrong? (Greg_E)
mic the bearing diameters of the 2 cams and see if there is a difference,if there is you need to machine(cylindrical grind) the new one down to the old ones specs, :chevy
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 66
From: Middletown CT
Re: Cam Install Problem. What's wrong? (pdd000)
Thanks guys. Am I the only guy this stuff happens to? I swear if you put 99 good ones in a pile and one bad one, I'd pick the bad one. I bought a new one instead of a take out so I wouldn't have a problem, and here I am. :mad :mad
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: debary fl
Re: Cam Install Problem. What's wrong? (Greg_E)
sounds like it is warped pretty bad and if you roll it on a known flat surface like a glass table top it should show, or the lifters are touching due to a higher lift cam.......Good luck :eek: I highly doubt the cam is warped that bad.
[Modified by DIAMOND DAVE, 4:37 AM 1/4/2004]
[Modified by DIAMOND DAVE, 4:37 AM 1/4/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: delmont pa
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Re: Cam Install Problem. What's wrong? (Greg_E)
mic the journal diameter and you will know if a larger diameter journal is the problem. i have run into this several times in the past. the larger journal will pass thru some but not all cam bearings. :chevy
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,246
Likes: 66
From: Middletown CT
Re: Cam Install Problem. What's wrong? (clem zahrobsky)
I brought the cam to the shop today to have it checked. It had .015" runout in the center of the cam. This cam out of an unopened heavy cardboard tube that shows no damage whatsoever to the tube, so you tell me how it got that way? GM quality?
Thanks to everyone who responded. :cheers:
Thanks to everyone who responded. :cheers:
