Has to get better - Right?

[BS CUDA]

Some of you likely remember my Indy head swap / timing issue / bent valves etc leading up to a leak that put me over the edge and I opted to pull the engine.

Well 2 weeks ago the engine shop called and said there was a head issue and it was sent back to Indy but Indy was going to cover it - casting flaw / crack? Never questioned much as I could likely be the cause  but as long as they covered it - it didn't really matter.

Called the shop today to see how things were going and I am told the block may be non repairable due to a cam bearing spun. The bearing actually came out with the cam when they removed it. They will know the extent hopefully tomorrow after final measurements. Cam is damaged as well.

Being told this could have been caused when I set the cam timing way out and damaged the valves. Thoughts? I suspect and have always had a suspicion this engine was not quite right although it ran fairly strong until I decided to increase the HP.

Good news is I got the transmission back today @ a very decent price with a stall torque to match the now damaged cam.

[brads70]

Bummer! 

[Chryco Psycho]

Ahh the weakest link ... hard to tell if you have good timing finding a spun cam brg or if the valves damage somehow increased the load on the cam & grabbed the brg .
 Tough break if the block is junk though

[1 Wild R/T]

With Mopar big blocks it's not uncommon to have a tight cam bearing or two... typically the builder will either use a bearing knife to scrape the offending bearings to provide clearance or take the old cam, cut a groove across each bearing journal & use the cam as a cutting tool to clearance the cam bearings... If this wasn't done (common if the builder has more of a Chevy background than a Mopar background) you have a good chance of the bearing seizing to the cam..... Depending on how much work has been done to the block it may be more economical to replace the block but depending on the damage it can be saved by cutting the bearing oversize... Either a machined insert, or a custom bearing could solve the issue...

As far as the valves contacting the pistons causing this.... Seriously doubt it... How long did it run that way? 

[BS CUDA]

With Mopar big blocks it's not uncommon to have a tight cam bearing or two... typically the builder will either use a bearing knife to scrape the offending bearings to provide clearance or take the old cam, cut a groove across each bearing journal & use the cam as a cutting tool to clearance the cam bearings... If this wasn't done (common if the builder has more of a Chevy background than a Mopar background) you have a good chance of the bearing seizing to the cam..... Depending on how much work has been done to the block it may be more economical to replace the block but depending on the damage it can be saved by cutting the bearing oversize... Either a machined insert, or a custom bearing could solve the issue...

As far as the valves contacting the pistons causing this.... Seriously doubt it... How long did it run that way?

The engine is 498CID and had roughly 300 passes and well under 10000kms on it on the old cam and heads. I did 0 prep work when I swapped the cam except for standard house keeping.The engine only ran essentially around the block. Could this have been an underlying issue? Only reason it was caught now was due to me getting frustrated hanging over the fenders fixing leaks etc.

I'll be going to the shop tomorrow looking for solutions. Sure would like to get some ride time on those Indy's - shelled out a lot of coin this spring.

[brads70]

With Mopar big blocks it's not uncommon to have a tight cam bearing or two... typically the builder will either use a bearing knife to scrape the offending bearings to provide clearance or take the old cam, cut a groove across each bearing journal & use the cam as a cutting tool to clearance the cam bearings... If this wasn't done (common if the builder has more of a Chevy background than a Mopar background) you have a good chance of the bearing seizing to the cam..... Depending on how much work has been done to the block it may be more economical to replace the block but depending on the damage it can be saved by cutting the bearing oversize... Either a machined insert, or a custom bearing could solve the issue...

As far as the valves contacting the pistons causing this.... Seriously doubt it... How long did it run that way?

My hyd roller had that issue on one lobe, I just used a crank belt polisher to remove a couple thousands . Worked great.  I had bought those fancy Teflon coated bearings and wasn't about to scrape them.

[Chryco Psycho]

I cannot see the brg going bad in the time it bent the valves , it did not run long enough

[BS CUDA]

I cannot see the brg going bad in the time it bent the valves , it did not run long enough

I'm thinking it was on its way out anyways - maybe I got lucky catching it now.

[BS CUDA]

Finally they tell me the block is good and the rebuild is back on its way - he tells me 2 weeks max - my son has started booking rides to school in the Cuda for September.

Sure hope it is just forward progress from here.

[Chryco Psycho]

me too , summer is waaay to short up there anyway !

[734406pk]

I'm thinking it was on its way out anyways - maybe I got lucky catching it now.

I'm thinking it's possible that one of the bearing journals on the new cam was slightly larger than the old cam reducing the oil clearence and they welded together. Scraping the bearing(s) or polishing the cam journals is very common on Mopars due to undersized cam bearing bores. It can be difficult to fit a cam with engine is installed in the car. Best of luck with the repair! Hopefully after some seat time this will all be forgotten!

[734406pk]

Good luck with your repair. When the shop is busy, you'll just have to stay on them! The squeaky wheel gets the grease!

[BS CUDA]

3 months and they still haven't finished my engine. UN&%$#( real - no machine work required and they still haven't got it built. These guys have certainly moved down my list of who to spend my money with.

[brads70]

3 months and they still haven't finished my engine. UN&%$#( real - no machine work required and they still haven't got it built. These guys have certainly moved down my list of who to spend my money with.

Yikes not cool! 

[Chryco Psycho]

Not cool .....so much for this year