Don't think you need a 3-bolt cam?

[TannerJPowell]

Loctite doesn't work well if a slight amount of oil is present. Additonally, the clamping force from a given torque is greatly affected by lubricated threads and flanges. If a toque is specified for dry threads, even loctite may result in the same torque value yielding a bolt that isn't supposed to. Repeated doses of carb cleaner or something to cut and remove remaining oil could save a lot down the road. What are the gm overhaul instructions here?

Also, I dont know if the cam bolt is tty? It is a single bolt in a high frequency load location. If i were the engineer, i might select tty here. Are you guys installing a new cam bolt?

The surface finish between the cam gear and cam is important for the torque handling of the system as well. It could be that this surface mates a little under load and won't have the same holding force if reused.

Just some things that might help...

[PQ]

Originally Posted by Trob85

I never got why gm veered off the 3 bolt path. Is it lighter, or were they just saving money?

A single bolt cam may or may not be causing failures just because of it being one bolt but I'm certain some of them would not have failed if they were 3 bolt. I'm with you, I just don't get the one bolt thing.

Originally Posted by litle88

Local car should have used loctite and a set of arp cam bolts. Bet it wouldn't of happened.

[Bo White]

The main reason Mobil is the oil used on most failures is because its by far the most used oil. Its only going to have that outcome from that one simple fact. I will continue to use Mobil. I may use a zinc additive though.

[litle88]

Originally Posted by TannerJPowell

Loctite doesn't work well if a slight amount of oil is present. Additonally, the clamping force from a given torque is greatly affected by lubricated threads and flanges. If a toque is specified for dry threads, even loctite may result in the same torque value yielding a bolt that isn't supposed to. Repeated doses of carb cleaner or something to cut and remove remaining oil could save a lot down the road. What are the gm overhaul instructions here?

Also, I dont know if the cam bolt is tty? It is a single bolt in a high frequency load location. If i were the engineer, i might select tty here. Are you guys installing a new cam bolt?

The surface finish between the cam gear and cam is important for the torque handling of the system as well. It could be that this surface mates a little under load and won't have the same holding force if reused.

Just some things that might help...

Cool story. But it doesn't apply here.

I've been doing cam swaps the same way and have has "0" issues and will continue to do it this way. I know of many shops that do it this way as well.

[TannerJPowell]

Originally Posted by litle88

Cool story. But it doesn't apply here.

I've been doing cam swaps the same way and have has "0" issues and will continue to do it this way. I know of many shops that do it this way as well.

The same way as?

What is this way you speak of?

A three bolt setup? I would agree with that.

I just see people going die hard for one bolt setups in here and there could be a way to make it work. Also a chance that increased loads from bigger cams can't be supported by the available single bolt clamping force.

Again, just trying to give some useful input for single bolt setups.

Removal of oil is certainly key to loctite working and it's no story. It is fact.

I will find information on whether the single bolt is torque to yield and update.

[SNSSTR]

Originally Posted by TannerJPowell

The same way as?

What is this way you speak of?

A three bolt setup? I would agree with that.

I just see people going die hard for one bolt setups in here and there could be a way to make it work. Also a chance that increased loads from bigger cams can't be supported by the available single bolt clamping force.

Again, just trying to give some useful input for single bolt setups.

Removal of oil is certainly key to loctite working and it's no story. It is fact.

I will find information on whether the single bolt is torque to yield and update.

From my understanding, the single cam bolt is TTY. But I used a new bolt when that old cam was installed.

In answer to your question from before, I will be using a 3 bolt cam, arp bolts, enough loctite to seal a vault. They won't back out next time.

[PQ]

Originally Posted by Bo White

The main reason Mobil is the oil used on most failures is because its by far the most used oil. Its only going to have that outcome from that one simple fact. I will continue to use Mobil. I may use a zinc additive though.

I did think about this too.

We are still using Mobile1 in Bonnies Vette. The people who engineered these cars know what they are doing.

Aftermarket cams, though, are another story so it just make me wonder.

[mlee]

Originally Posted by PQ

I did think about this too.

We are still using Mobile1 in Bonnies Vette. The people who engineered these cars know what they are doing.

Aftermarket cams, though, are another story so it just make me wonder.

My dealership that does all my oil changes don't recommend Mobil 1 at all anymore. Much cheaper with dexos blend anyway, so I'm good with it.

[BplumCrazy-SS]

Originally Posted by f5journal

I've been reading every one of these cam failure threads and I am getting antzy. Some say the new oils without something in it, some have pointed at Comp Cam cores made during a certain period, the 3-bolt thing..........what ever the deal is, we are not seeing LS3 engines last with cams put in them. It seem to be a real crap shoot. I think PQ's went the longest but still barely 50K miles or there about. Most are done by 20K

I have 60k on my car and my buddie has 70+k on his so there are cars that live with cams

[Pro Stock John]

Lots of possible causes, Did it bend just the intake valves?

[PQ]

Originally Posted by mlee

My dealership that does all my oil changes don't recommend Mobil 1 at all anymore. Much cheaper with dexos blend anyway, so I'm good with it.

Did they tell you why they feel that way?

Last thing I need is another cam failure on an LS engine. lol

Originally Posted by BplumCrazy-SS

I have 60k on my car and my buddie has 70+k on his so there are cars that live with cams

Gives me an idea.

I'm curious. I'm going to start a thread and ask.

[PQ]

Here is a thread for listing personal cam experience info.

http://www.camaro5.com/forums/showth...84#post7341984

I'd love to see a good pool of people add thiers to see. Obviously, like was stated earlier in this thread, people who don't have failures may be less likely to add theirs but might be fun to see.

[SNSSTR]

Originally Posted by Pro Stock John

Lots of possible causes, Did it bend just the intake valves?

Nope, all 16...bent pretty uniformally too.