Questions and Answers
350 Ate My Cam
Q. I had a remanufactured Chevy 350 (carb) engine installed in my 25' 1985 motor home. After about 2 years and 18,000 miles it was running so poorly that I took it to a shop. They discovered that the factory had adjusted 3 valves way too tightly. This resulted in a push rod bent in two places and three cam lobes and three hydraulic lifters being severely worn (one cam lobe was almost round instead of eliptical). The upper end of the engine was replaced. Is it possible that the lower end was damaged by the ground up cam and lifter metal floating around in the oil? Would such a maladjustment have caused the affected side of the engine to run excessively hot? I am wary of taking the motor home too far from home becuase of the possibility of premature engine failure. (we like to travel to Mexico in the winter)
Thanks for your consideration,
BillA. I don't think you have too much to worry about Bill. The oil lubricating the cam and valves drains directly back to the oil pan. The screen on the oil pickup will block any larger pieces and the oil filter will catch the rest.
I guess what's running through my mind at this point is if the valves were adjusted that tightly, why was it not noticed when the engine was installed and road tested? Just a point to ponder I guess...
