My Camaro went home to Oshawa to die......

[PQ]

As precision as a cam is ground, I'd be absolutely stunned if the pin length was a culprit.

That would be like building a spaceship and forgetting to put drinking water in when they launch. Hahaha

Not saying that's not it but if so I'd say it's as embarrassing as it gets.

[IROCanSS]

Well, let's compare what Randy said to my issue... In February 2010 my SS had the first set of Richmond 4.10 gears installed... I know I was the first bc my shop was in contact with Richmond through the whole install.

Well, the broke after 1000 miles. No one knew why... but as my shop was discussing things with their engineering dept the discovered that the pumpkin only hold 1.1 qts of fluid and heat may have been an issue.
Wouldn't a company that has been making gears for years at least checked the specs of the case to ensure the proper amount of fluid could be held to keep their gears cool? Also, through more conversations, it was discovered that they never actually put their gears in a carrier. They simply built and shipped them with only bench testing.

I'm not knocking them, they took care of me but I'm saying sometimes things get missed or overlooked.

Sucks yea but it happens. I'm curious what Comp says. I agree with Russ on this!

[Elykson]

Originally Posted by Camarowguy

When the engine failed, did it suddenly stop or die and still rotate a bit?

This is what I saw from behind Mike: When he shifted to second, dark exhaust shot out of his pipes in two huge puffs, his hands went up into the air and all I could hear were metallic parts making awful noises. Then I noticed the oil trail as we both pulled over after the sharp curve.

I think it's simply awesome that people are sending cash to help Mike out. It was awesome for Kelly to help Mike out with his trailer. There are some really good people out there.

Good luck with the new engine, Mike!

[Huggerorange73]

Originally Posted by Russell James

Looking at those pin pictures again, I think the evidence is in your first picture there of the front of the cam gear with the bolt removed. There is witness marks that the bolt shoulder was tightened against the pin, half the pin has wear marks from bolt shoulder.

Then looking at the cam gear wear marks from the bolt shoulder - how uneven they are - that bolt wasn't squarely against the cam gear. If that bolt had been tightened evenly 360 deg against the cam gear, and the gear slipped, it would have put even marks 360 degrees around it under the bolt shoulder. With uneven marks like it has, it was torqued against the pin.

The cam gear hole also looks oblonged, got beat up from vibrations/harmonics. With the cam gear not having even 360 deg pressure against it from the bolt shoulder, possibly that gear was not stable and beat the pin to death. Not to mention the other pin failures we've seen on here had that same look of the bolt bottomed out on the pin... and were Comp Cams....

I think they either have pin length issues, or were expecting the cam gear to be a little thicker.... But that bolt definately shouldn't be cranked into the pin like that. The gear will not be torqued flushly against the cam like that... and wobbling.

I gotta research and touch base with the other pin failures on this site....I'm also going to look at the back of the cam bolt to see what kind of marks are on it. Good info!!!!

Originally Posted by mercedestech

I would have to agree. Has anyone measured the pin length of the comp cams versus the pin length of the stock cams before installation? A digital caliper with a depth gauge should be able to see if this is an issue. I have a tsp cam here (actually a comp cam), but my digital caliper is at work or I would check it. If anyone could post the measurements, you might be onto something. If the comp cam pins prove to be too long, I would be asking them for assistance with the replacement engine.

Comp & I will be in touch on Monday morning!

Originally Posted by PQ

As precision as a cam is ground, I'd be absolutely stunned if the pin length was a culprit.

That would be like building a spaceship and forgetting to put drinking water in when they launch. Hahaha

Not saying that's not it but if so I'd say it's as embarrassing as it gets.

Randy...as you well know...ANYTHING is possible!

Originally Posted by jrhaus76

Well, let's compare what Randy said to my issue... In February 2010 my SS had the first set of Richmond 4.10 gears installed... I know I was the first bc my shop was in contact with Richmond through the whole install.

Well, the broke after 1000 miles. No one knew why... but as my shop was discussing things with their engineering dept the discovered that the pumpkin only hold 1.1 qts of fluid and heat may have been an issue.
Wouldn't a company that has been making gears for years at least checked the specs of the case to ensure the proper amount of fluid could be held to keep their gears cool? Also, through more conversations, it was discovered that they never actually put their gears in a carrier. They simply built and shipped them with only bench testing.

I'm not knocking them, they took care of me but I'm saying sometimes things get missed or overlooked.

Sucks yea but it happens. I'm curious what Comp says. I agree with Russ on this!

Keep ya posted Jason!

Originally Posted by Elykson

This is what I saw from behind Mike: When he shifted to second, dark exhaust shot out of his pipes in two huge puffs, his hands went up into the air and all I could hear were metallic parts making awful noises. Then I noticed the oil trail as we both pulled over after the sharp curve.

I think it's simply awesome that people are sending cash to help Mike out. It was awesome for Kelly to help Mike out with his trailer. There are some really good people out there.

Good luck with the new engine, Mike!

Kyle, don't forget to include yourself in the people who helped me out....you spent alot of the weekend helping me out with all this mess as well buddy!

And hell yes, there are a loads of people who are going above and beyond to help out with this.

[Huggerorange73]

Here's the cam bolt.

[mercedestech]

WOW.....sure looks like that bolt was tightened down against the pin....comp has some explaining to do! Does anyone have a stock undamaged cam that can measure the pin length on? I actually have somone coming to buy my tsp cam tommorrow (because of this thread!), but if the deal falls through I will measure the pin and post the results Monday morning. I would hate to think the 3 or 4 engines that have pics posted here from single bolt comp cam equipped failures were because comp made the pin .100" to long. And if that is the case, I sure hope they step up to help you guys out.

[Huggerorange73]

Originally Posted by mercedestech

WOW.....sure looks like that bolt was tightened down against the pin....comp has some explaining to do! Does anyone have a stock undamaged cam that can measure the pin length on? I actually have somone coming to buy my tsp cam tommorrow (because of this thread!), but if the deal falls through I will measure the pin and post the results Monday morning.

I've got my OEM cam in a box in my garage.....I don't have anything to measure it with at home though.

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by Huggerorange73

I've got my OEM cam in a box in my garage.....I don't have anything to measure it with at home though.

+1, and i am to lazy to get it out of the box and measure it.

[mercedestech]

Originally Posted by Huggerorange73

I've got my OEM cam in a box in my garage.....I don't have anything to measure it with at home though.

I think harbor frieght sells inexpensive digital calipers with depth gauges for $20 or so.........If my cam doesn't sell, I'm going to get one just so I don't have to wait until Monday to measure (I can't get into my dealership on Sunday to get my starrett calipers).

[Huggerorange73]

I just pulled my stock cam out....just to the naked eye, the factory pin doesn't appear as large as the Comp pin.

[mercedestech]

Originally Posted by Huggerorange73

I just pulled my stock cam out....just to the naked eye, the factory pin doesn't appear as large as the Comp pin.

Diameter or length?

[2SSRS@Gen5diy]

Originally Posted by PQ

As precision as a cam is ground, I'd be absolutely stunned if the pin length was a culprit.

That would be like building a spaceship and forgetting to put drinking water in when they launch. Hahaha

Not saying that's not it but if so I'd say it's as embarrassing as it gets.

But it may be.

Originally Posted by mercedestech

WOW.....sure looks like that bolt was tightened down against the pin....comp has some explaining to do! Does anyone have a stock undamaged cam that can measure the pin length on? I actually have somone coming to buy my tsp cam tommorrow (because of this thread!), but if the deal falls through I will measure the pin and post the results Monday morning. I would hate to think the 3 or 4 engines that have pics posted here from single bolt comp cam equipped failures were because comp made the pin .100" to long. And if that is the case, I sure hope they step up to help you guys out.

Originally Posted by Huggerorange73

I've got my OEM cam in a box in my garage.....I don't have anything to measure it with at home though.

Originally Posted by mercedestech

I think harbor frieght sells inexpensive digital calipers with depth gauges for $20 or so.........If my cam doesn't sell, I'm going to get one just so I don't have to wait until Monday to measure (I can't get into my dealership on Sunday to get my starrett calipers).

I have a 3 bolt and its set in 0.123, here you go.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by jrhaus76

I'm not knocking them, they took care of me but I'm saying sometimes things get missed or overlooked.

Agreed. I was apparently the first person in the entire friggin world to buy a Meziere Camaro electric water pump. Fits LS3/L99!

They never test fit it on an L99 and it doesn't clear the VVT bulges on the front cover. Called Meziere. "Really? Oops."

Padre

[Huggerorange73]

Originally Posted by mercedestech

Diameter or length?

Looks like both.....but like I said, it's the naked eye.

Originally Posted by 2SSRS

But it may be.








I have a 3 bolt and its set in 0.123, here you go.

Thanks for the info!

Originally Posted by Padre

Agreed. I was apparently the first person in the entire friggin world to buy a Meziere Camaro electric water pump. Fits LS3/L99!

They never test fit it on an L99 and it doesn't clear the VVT bulges on the front cover. Called Meziere. "Really? Oops."

Padre

Yup, strange things happen.....when you build thousands of camshafts, it's not unheard of to have a bad one in the bunch.