Updated--Big decision: new cam and gamble, or rebuild engine
 

After spending a big chunk of change getting my leaky AC evaporator replaced last week, my engine started making chirping noises. 'Turned out to be damaged lifters. We thought it was just one, until pulling the cam and discovering each lobe was scarred pretty good. In the weeks leading up to this, I noticed my oil pressure at idle had dropped to 15psi (was still running Mobile 1 5w-30). I decided to switch to Joe Gibbs LS30. That didn't seem to make a difference. A week later, my AC started blowing hot (evaporator leak) and the chirping lifter noise started a week after that, just before getting the AC fixed. My SS just hit 70K miles when all this happened, BTW...

Now the questions start. Did I just get a bad Comp cam core (mine has 35k on it; 10k since adding the blower) or is it something more internal (cam bearings, etc.)? I can either put it all back together, run new Melling oil pump (my current one might still be good), cam (a real blower cam this time), lifters & lifter trays...and a thicker grade oil and cross my fingers, or wait to have my engine rebuilt and waste more money on my expensive rental car while I wait. I was just about to upgrade my clutch and rear when all this happened, so that will have to wait (again) if I do the latter. Any suggestions are welcome. Thanks. :mad0260:

Here are some pics...

Sorry to see imho if you can swing it rebuild.

I had the same thing happen to me a few months ago with my comp cam. Luckily I was already planning a rebuild with ADM and he seen the cam when he pulled it out. I now have a 417 with a new comp cam and I hope this cam was treated right. I would go ahead and rebuild with forged internals. Sorry to hear this and hopefully they have fixed the problem with their cams.

It looks a though your top end was starving for oil Which means you probably have more damage. how long has your oil pressure been at 15 psi at idle ?

Pull the Pan and Oil pump and inspect, if the pump is all scared then pull a couple bearings and have a look.

Inspect Piston skirts for embedded metal chips.

If everything looks good You don't have much to lose.

There is only a slight chance everything stayed in the bottom of the pan but that really depends on how hard you drove it.

2 areas of concern when we see this is Valve Springs and Lubrication.

Worn Springs allow Lifter bounce, when the lifter starts to bounce on the lobe it will self destruct.

Just our Way, We always switch to 10/30 Mobil 1 when doing Cam Swaps.

Hope this Helps.

I would say Jannetty just gave you the absolute best advice that can be had. As for my opinion , you're probably not going to luck out on this one .

Drummer I would rebuild with bulletproof internals man...even now that you have a Maggie and your gonna get a specific blower cam your gonna want that voice in the back of your head saying ...Don't worry its ok you have built internals its ok to have a lead foot :D

why does it look to me as if the lifter/roller locked up first and then ate the cam?

Shit, tear her down and see what else is wrong... bound to be something.

I wouldn't go chasing parts until I knew full extent of the damage.

like jannety said.. pull oil pump and pan.. If you have any doubt in ur head go ahead and build it.. a nice LME 416 wih trickflow 255s sound good right:)

I agree with the consensus here. I'm afraid some of that metal made its way to the bearings. It would also be hard to get rid of the shavings piecemeal. If you can swing it, pull the motor and rebuild it. And get blower appropriate pistons while you're at it. Good luck.

I'm going to the shop for a closer look soon. I've been told the pistons still look pristine, as do the valve springs (they were changed 10k miles ago during the Supercharger install). They were about to check the oil pan and pump as I was typing the original post, but I'm already leaning towards a rebuild. Oi.

It would be best to tear it appart.refresh the bearings,pump,cam,lifters,check the springs and the rest of the valve train.
If your in a budget,use the same rotating assembly,but upgrade the pistons to forged.
At first,nobody made a forged piston to be used with the stock rods,but BTR racing has them available now.