Metal in the Oil
 

After a cam failure a couple of years ago, I recently rebuilt my 454/365 stocker engine with a new cam and Smith lifters, new oil pump and pickup, bearings, rings, timing chain, etc., along with making a few upgrades.

After nothing more than 6 Dyno pulls on the engine, I drained the oil before installing the engine in the car, and I'm a little concerned with the amount of metal in the oil. I used Royal Purple assembly lube for the rotating assy, ARP assy lube on the bolts, and I broke the engine in using Comp Cams break in oil. The oil looks more metallic than I'm comfortable with, and the magnetic drain plug had a little something on it.

Because I'm gun shy from the last failure, I pulled the cam and lifters, just to inspect them, and they appear to be fine. Since I was that far, I also pulled the oil pan, and checked the main and rod bearings. The rod bearings are flawless, and the mains showed minor wear on the outside edges. The only thing I found that appeared a bit excessive was the wear on the cam bearings. I haven't removed them yet, so I can only see the front bearing.

I've included some pictures on the attached link

http://3869ben.shutterfly.com/

My machine shop owner, a former Comp racer, tells me that this is normal wear, and that the metal in the oil is due to break in, and will gradually improve over time.

Anyone want to weigh in on this? I'd appreciate your input. Thanks

Ben Kallies
B/S 3869

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

it's normal to have some metal in a fresh engine build especially with new parts,

But that cam bearing bothers me, that's a lot of wear for 6 pulls... isn't it?

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Definately a lot of wear on that cam bearing for such a short time running.

Might be from lack of oil or from not enough clearance.....or other possibilites.....

Cam bearings usually do show wear there but it looks like more than usual for such a short time running

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Always run several magnets inside the motor and the drain plug. It gives you a better idea how much metal you're dealing with and pulls it out of the oil to prevent damage. It sounds like you've checked the suspect areas and found nothing. It's hard to tell about the cam though, you need to check lift if you haven't. I am not familiar with Smith lifters. If they are the same as Schubecks then you should have no cam problems, if not I don't trust anything but Schubeck type lifters with todays oils and spring pressures.

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Ben,

Having gone thru the same thing a couple of years ago, I know exactly how you feel ... I would take apart the oil pump & check it closely ? I asume the cam bearings were new ? I agree with Rich, you need to look at oil flow to cam bearings ? You also could have a bad cam bearing ? Look at everything you can while you have it apart ? How was the oil pressure on the dyno ?
Could have been a single piece of dirt /metal on one bearing ? I would check the cam ( several times ) for straightness & ground in metal ? Better to be Safe than Sorry ... Good Luck & keep us updated ........... Dave,

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

It appears that either the main journals on the crank are tapered, or they have a large radius, and the bearings did not have the correct chamfer. It also appears that there is insufficient oil flow to the cam bearings, or that there is insufficient clearance. The wear on the cam and main bearings is not normal for break in and 6 pulls on the dyno.

I suggest you cut the oil filter open and inspect it, and also tear down the oil pump.

Also, why is the front cam bearing hanging out the front of the block? Even if the block has been damaged, and the damage corrected, the bearing should not hang out the front. The front of the bearing should be cut off, and the Torrington bearing on cam gear shimmed to compensate for the amount the block has been cut to clean up the damage.

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Front of that cam bearing face appears to have been machined and a step was left there possibly to retain a wear shim.

BB's often had wear on the block there. We normally cut it all the way across the face, and used a .030 or a .060 thrust washer available from Manley....

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Oh, it was obviously machined. But look at the jagged appearance of the leading edge of the cam bearing, that looks like wear. I always machine the whole thing off, and place a shim between the gear and the Torrington bearing.

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Something I found on my Smith lifters when I first primed engine. One lifter would not pass oil to the pushrod? After removing and dissassembly of the lifter, it had a small piece of debris in it. After correcting that it took right off. This was found while priming engine on engine stand.

Sean

Re: Metal in the Oil
 

Alan,

The front of the block WAS machined due to damage from the previous cam failure, and I AM running a thrust washer to make up the difference, along with the torrington bearing on the timing chain. Additionally, I also thought that the leading edge of the front cam bearing looked funny, but after closer inspection, it's an optical illusion due to the way that the coating was applied to the bearings. I'll check the cam journal clearance as you suggest. What is normal/acceptable. Also, where should I begin to look for oil flow problems areas to the cam? Thanks.

-Ben