Sbc 350 broken/bad camshaft

[1987ranger12394]

My co worker has a sbc 355 all forged long block with a bad cam. Hes looking to sell it and I was wondering if it was worth the buy with the bad or broken cam?

 

[rusty ol ranger]

Eh...

Theres pry so much shrapnel in that motor its probably a total loss. Not to mention the heads are pry trash (well, valves), and maybe even the pistons from smacking valves.

SBCs are a dime a dozen i would screw with it unless i could get it for 100 bucks or less.

 

[1987ranger12394]

I

Eh...

Theres pry so much shrapnel in that motor its probably a total loss. Not to mention the heads are pry trash (well, valves), and maybe even the pistons from smacking valves.

SBCs are a dime a dozen i would screw with it unless i could get it for 100 bucks or less.

I figured as much I'm not sure what condition the cam is in. He said the rest of the block looks good hes had it apart. I'm gonna pass just to many unknowns. He does have a complete 400 sbc engine I could grab it was a downer pull and still runs strong. Maybe a 400 weekend drag ranger builds in my future.

 

[rusty ol ranger]

I

I figured as much I'm not sure what condition the cam is in. He said the rest of the block looks good hes had it apart. I'm gonna pass just to many unknowns. He does have a complete 400 sbc engine I could grab it was a downer pull and still runs strong. Maybe a 400 weekend drag ranger builds in my future.

Buddy of mine had a 400 SBC in a 78 3/4ton camper special. Ran pretty good actually. Didnt seem to be as snorty as the ford 400 but defianatly would be eaiser to shoehorn in a ranger....i think.

 

[19Walt93]

Small block Chevys have eaten cams since 1955 and I've seen several with cams broken in two. They drive the oil pump and distributor off the back of the cam, combine the stress from that with GM "quality" casting and it's no surprise they snap. If you have a boat and a length of chain you could use the engine for an anchor, I guess.

 

[1987ranger12394]

Small block Chevys have eaten cams since 1955 and I've seen several with cams broken in two. They drive the oil pump and distributor off the back of the cam, combine the stress from that with GM "quality" casting and it's no surprise they snap. If you have a boat and a length of chain you could use the engine for an anchor, I guess.

Nope no desire to buy a boat anchor

 

[1987ranger12394]

Well talked to him again and he said the cam wore down it's not broken showed me some pictures it had some aggressive wear on the lobes

 

[19Walt93]

So all the oil passages are full of metal particles, the oil pump is junk and everything lubed by oil is scored. Anything can be fixed-for a price.

 

[1987ranger12394]

Yeah I figured as much what would cause something like that?

 

[19Walt93]

Today's oil doesn't have the zinc and phosphorus that flat tappet cams need to survive. They were removed because if an engine burns oil containing them it will poison the catalytic convertor. Though, SBC's were famous for cam failures even in the early 70's, I've seen 50,000 mile engines that were clean and well maintained that had actually worn a hole through the bottom of lifters. Most other engines with hydraulic lifters had non adjustable rockers, SBC's always had adjustable rockers so you could keep adjusting them tighter to compensate for wear.

 

[1987ranger12394]

That's exactly what he said happened to him. He had to adjust his rockers frequently and eventually found the worn cam. Does it destroy a block? I'm looking at a 500 dollar fully dressed forged 355 if so. Hes in his early 60s and doesn't want to race anymore so hes selling all his extra motors.

 

[RangerFabWorks]

You run the risk of the particles from the cam lobes winding up through the oil system. I’d pull a main cap. If they are clean with no scratches. I’d buy it. Worn cam lobes are very common on a sbc. Need to run diesel oil and the zppd additive In them.

 

[Blmpkn]

If the cams just worn it's probably fine, for 500 I'd take it considering it's all forged. Aluminum heads? That would make it a steal

 

[1987ranger12394]

If I bought it I'd get it cleaned and checked.

 

[1987ranger12394]

Yep aluminum heads. He was making 420hp on the engine dyno. Paperwork proof. It's a carbed setup so practically drop in. The other option would be the 400sbc block hes got oem short block.