out of all of you that have had cams fail, how many of you were running the wrong or stock springs, or springs that werent installed correctly?I know both of my failures i was not running the 'corect' springs. they werent very radical cams and the lift was only like .5-ish.

Cam Failures - can result in improper hardening of the cams. Lots of poor quality parts is nothing new. Most cam failures are caused by improper spring pressure and poor cam installation and break in.

I had one cam fail because I was saving money "or thought I was". Mismatch the valve train parts and I built a new engine. Now a little smarter I get a new cam. If it is a "Billy bob cam" I will get Billy bob lifters and billy bob valve springs. As you grow older and look at your past screw ups, I my life time I have screwed up many times over money and do it cheeeeeeep. My dad always said to me "You never have time to do it right-But you find time to do it over. Yea we have all done some dumb things and want to put the blame somewhere. I hate this word "IF" you built it right and it failed BAD parts. Two years ago I backed my 70 SS 454 M 22 one owner trailer queen out of my garage and into my pick up truck. And yes ther were parts laying in my driveway. and yes I was in a hurry that day. Ask me how I felt after that.
Keep in mind Family--Health--are first, now continue what you were doing....
Bob ACES 2825

Now a little smarter I get a new cam. If it is a "Billy bob cam" I will get Billy bob lifters and billy bob valve springs.

Make sure you have your Billy Bob Teeth, too :D

http://www.getbubbateeth.com/

go out and buy the new hot rod mag it has a artical on cam failures. good info.

In my case, it failed using a Comp K-kit.. The entire valve train was matched.. the only reason I could come up with that mine failed was the fact that I didn't pull the inner springs for breaking.. Although the cam is only a 274H (approx .550 lift) I really didn't think it was big enough to warrant pulling them..

In my case, it failed using a Comp K-kit.. The entire valve train was matched.. the only reason I could come up with that mine failed was the fact that I didn't pull the inner springs for breaking..

Scott most likely bad parts out of the box or your break-in procedure. I had a cam fail in my 67 last summer after about 40K Miles. The lifters grew nipples and took out 6 lobes slowly over time.

I did break in that cam with very stiff springs, and it still broke in well and raan well for about 36K miles.

You should definately use the right springs for a given cam...but you should also be very careful with your installation procedures and break-in. Of course, you can't do anything about defective parts or bad quality control.

Yeah, I don't know.. Comp & Summit replaced the entire kit free of charge.. I totally disassembled the engine, cleaned EVERYTHING & put it back together.. I used the same break in procedure the second time, but I pulled the inner springs & threw away the comp assy lube & used Isky moly-based lube..

SO FAR, so good on the new cam..

threw away the comp assy lube & used Isky moly-based lube..

SO FAR, so good on the new cam..

Thats the ticket, we'll talk just did one for a friend last week. See ya in 42 days

Thats the ticket, we'll talk just did one for a friend last week. See ya in 42 days

42 Days :eek: Oh crap, I need to figgure out where to rent a trailer from..

I'll see you down there, :beers: on me..

Scott

How about improper lash adjustment (too tight) or the wrong rockers (slot to stud interference)? Both can lead to cam failures.