i think i have found my demon at last

[86bayliner]

Thanks to all of you, and really the knowledge i have gained in this forum is tremendous.<br />thank you one hundred million times to everyone involved.<br /><br />My lifter was the demon on this #7 exhaust valve on my 1986 volvo penta 225e, gm v8 5L engine.<br /><br />the bottom of the lifter was concave. i imagine i should replace it because a couple others i took out did not have concave bottoms, so thats how i figured that out. As for the cam lobe hard for me to tell but i did pu my finger in lifter bore and felt the lobe, in my best amature opinion it felt fine but still not sure, i still want to postively say the cams ok for now.<br /><br />how long do the bottom of the lifters normally last anyway? Could that part of the cam be tearing in to the lifter more so than the others.<br />what caused this lifter to end up concave???that will be the next question<br /><br />please tell me you guys agree that this is my demon if not part of.... <br /><br />--------------------------------------------<br /> 86bayliner<br />Norcross GA

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

If the lifter bottom is trashed the cam lobe is probably wiped too. The best way to tell is to pull the cam. Not what ya wanted to here but its best done right the first time through.

 

[86bayliner]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

is it possible for the cam to be ok with the lifter in this condition?<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />86bayliner

 

[86bayliner]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

how do i pull the cam ,jeeeeeezzzzz<br />arrrrrggh <br /><br />u think this guy i bought the boat from replaced the lifter once already knowing that possibly because of the cam it wasnt going to last long, better put it back together and sell it"???<br /><br />umm ? how long does a new lifter last with a messed up lobe?<br /><br /><br />thanks so close <br />86bayliner

 

[86bayliner]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

ill try putting a flashlight maybe my video camera in the hole.<br /><br />see what it looks like that way <br /><br />umm<br /><br />ok by for now , thanks for yalls help<br /><br />86bayliner

 

[achris]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

You got a manual?

 

[thunderroad]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

Pulling the cam is a job but not insurmountable. You've already got the intake off so you have a big part of the battle won already. Changing the cam and lifters might do wonders for the performance and fuel efficiency too.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

Originally posted by 86bayliner:<br /> is it possible for the cam to be ok with the lifter in this condition?<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />86bayliner

Not likely, once the hard smooth surface breaks up it acts as an abrasive grinding both the surfaces contacting each other. As for pulling the cam the entire front of the engine has to come off, water pump, harmonic balancer, timing chain cover and timing chain. The rest of the lifters need to be removed also. Not real difficult but time consuming.

 

[bomar76]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

Originally posted by 86bayliner:<br /> is it possible for the cam to be ok with the lifter in this condition?<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />86bayliner

No.

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

I'm with bomar on this one. Bite the bullet, toss a cam n lifters in it and go have fun. Even if you sell it you'll get a lot more interest if it runs good.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

I just bought a new Comp Cam performance marine cam for my small block Chevy complete with freight and lifters for $212. Best investment I made in my upgrade!! It took me 2 nights to do the job. Toughest job is pulling the harmonic balancer. Just bite the bullet and get a puller (about $20 at Sears hardware, cheaper online). Next ttoughest is getting the timing cover back on. Again, just bite the bullet and drop the oil pan by removing all the bolts but the back 2. I had to cut the marine single piece oil pan gasket and use the timing case gasket kit but a little of the rubber gasket sealer and no leaks. Really worth the time, especially when tyou know your old cam is shot!!

 

[86bayliner]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

ok thanks for the input and I do have a manual , yall know how tricky these manuals can be to understand them, its easier to hear from someone whos done it before.<br /><br /><br />jeez now i have to pull the harmonic balancer, nice one , but you guys say i can do it huh, what else should be changed when the cam is changed out ?<br /><br /><br />thanks <br />86bayliner<br /><br />85bayliner

 

[Bondo]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

Like I Said,.......

Your description Sounds like a "Wiped-Out" Cam Lobe,...........<br />In other words,...... There's No Bump left on the Camshaft............<br /><br />It's already been mentioned before,... But,....<br /><br />Your Best Way Out,.. At this point is to go get a Junkyard 350 Chevy, out of a Truck,.......<br />Strip it down to the "Long-block",+ Install ALL of the assessories from the Broken Motor you have Now,..........<br /><br />Then Go Boating,+ Have some Fun........... .<br />

It'll be Less Work, to install a 5.7l Junkyard Truck Motor,....<br />Than Fixing what you Have,.........<br /><br />You Should be able to find a "Running Take-Out" Chevy 350 for $300.00 to $700.00,....... <br /><br />And,..................<br />You'll end up with a Bigger, More Powerful Motor,......... Free,.. Sort Of............

 

[LubeDude]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

Originally posted by bomar76:<br />

Originally posted by 86bayliner:<br /> is it possible for the cam to be ok with the lifter in this condition?<br /><br />thanks,<br /><br />86bayliner

No .

To the point, but very true.<br /><br />"What else while you are in there"?<br /><br />Timing chain, buy a double roller chain. Timing cover seal, it will probbably come with the timing cover set though.<br /><br />Use the break in lube that comes with the cam and lifters, use it very liberally, put some on the lifters when you drop them in, Just on the bottom, you dont want to plug the lifter lube holes with grease. Soak the lifters in the oil you are going to use at least overnight. <br /><br />When you first start the engine, run it at about 2,000 RPM for at least 20 Minutes, this will make sure your cam breaks in correctly, DO NOT LET THE ENGINE IDLE AT ALL DURRING THIS TIME!!!Turn the idle screww up to accomplish this, I know that will be unnerving, but you have to do it. After the cam break in, drain the oil and change the filter Imeadiatly, I dont care how long its been in there, you want the cam break in lube out of there and all the little shinny things that are floating around in the oil. The filter can become plugged partially with this break in grease also.

 

[86bayliner]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

Originally posted by Bondo:<br />

<br /><br />Your Best Way Out,.. At this point is to go get a Junkyard 350 Chevy, out of a Truck,.......<br />Strip it down to the "Long-block",+ Install ALL of the assessories from the Broken Motor you have Now,..........<br /><br />Then Go Boating,+ Have some Fun...........[/b] .<br />

It'll be Less Work, to install a 5.7l Junkyard Truck Motor,....<br />Than Fixing what you Have,.........<br /><br />You Should be able to find a "Running Take-Out" Chevy 350 for $300.00 to $700.00,....... <br /><br />And,..................<br />You'll end up with a Bigger, More Powerful Motor,......... Free,.. Sort Of............

love the idea, but how good are the cam and lifters in them gonna be? <br /><br />Will it mount up to my out drive?<br />What kind of hoist system do i use to get the old one out and the new one in? I've always wondered, must be a really tall one. And, i mean i always thought i'd need a marine grade eninge? So, Im not opposed to the idea, would love more power just not quite ready with the knowledge on putting one in. However, im sure if i searched a little more here in this forum i could get it done.<br /><br />A truck engine though, really, could there be a traditional radiator on it too?<br /><br />I see it this way then, If im gonna hunt down another engine than i might as well slap this $5.00 lifter i bought today in it and run with it, till it gets ate up again, kinda experiment and see how long i get on a this wiped lobe? it might give me some time to find one and save up the cash, and possibly still get to have a little fun in the interim..<br /><br />Right? Maybe give me some time to learn, Im sure i'd run in to lots o' questions. But would love to be able to see it through and be able to say, Hay I did that? all thanks to you guys ofcourse the <br />--------------------------------------------<br /><br />86bayliner

 

[86bayliner]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

oh yeah Bondo<br /><br /> you said ---"You'll end up with a Bigger, More Powerful Motor",, <br /><br />Do u mean as in larger , like size wize, umm dont know if i could go anylarger.?<br /><br /><br />---------------------------------------------<br />86bayliner

 

[imported_scott_m]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

Would not waste the time and effort to 'just drop in the lifter'. As others have said, once the hardened face of the lifter (or cam - not sure which came first the chicken or the egg) was gone, you're into the unburnished metal. Might as well put grinding compound on the lifter and cam. You can bet that came is nearly a full circle now with no bump. I do not like the idea of going with a junkyard SBC. Yes, you'll get a bigger motor, but you're starting with an unkown. If you know your 305 and you know it's been well taken care of, low hours and good compression, stick with what you've got and go with the recommendation to stick in a new cam and lifters. As others pointed out, you're out 220 bucks for the cam and lifters and what maybe another 100 or so for the timing set and gaskets? You'll spend at least 350 swapping out the motors if you can't do that yourself.<br /><br />BTW, assuming your boating on Lake Lanier? I kept a boat at Holiday Marina for 7 years.

 

[MrBill]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

If the lifter is concaved, the cam is no longer canted and will not spin the lifter to force even wear on it. You've experienced normal wear for an engine that old. The cam has seen its better days, you can check for other rods that are not spinning and perhaps get an idea if additional lifters are showing signs of wear. Chances are that your #7 was just the first to show extreme wear and others are on the way. You could replace the lifter short-term, but you're headed for rebuild or repower. How much depends on your wallet and long term objective for the boat.

 

[thunderroad]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

Put in a new cam and lifters. You're bound to know someone who has changed the cam in a small block chevy. Pick their brain for tips or better yet bribe them with beer to help you. A Chevy with a flat cam lobe is a common occurance that really sounds a lot worse to fix than it really is. I'd much rather do that than fix a leaking rear main seal in a Ford. (another common problem)<br />...speaking automotive here, of course

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: i think i have found my demon at last

sounds a lot worse to fix than it really is. I'd much rather do that than fix a leaking rear main seal in a Ford.

"Amen brother."