Anyone Else Useing Crane Cam?
Thread Starter
Junior Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 73
Likes: 0
From: PENDLETON, NY
Car: 1985 T/A
Engine: 355 TPI
Transmission: T-5
Axle/Gears: 3.42
Anyone Else Useing Crane Cam?
I put a crane cam in my TA 2 years ago and since have kept building up the engine till the point i am at now-325hp &350ft.#'s
this past month the car started running like crap so i decide to readjust the rockers. so of course i did because i have not life except to live for my car. after that the car ran the best it has all summer, for 2 days after that it started backfiring, the #8 exhaust vavle want moving at all, so i readjusted it switched rockerarms push rods but to no evaile. the only way to make the rocker to move any more was to crank it down all the way and it still only moved half as much as the rest of the rocker arms. So i talked to some mechanic buddies and they say the same, "flattened a lobe on the cam" wich i think is true but thats B.S., i spent good money for these products that are suposed to be of excelent quality and they take a **** on me after 2 years. Now i know some of you might be thinking that this kid dont know squat but iv been playing with cars since i was 8 and have been a hard core HOTRODDER for 5, and all my friends come to me when they have questions and need help, sooo i dont think i messed up the cam when i adjusted the valves the first time. but i would like to know andones input on crane cams or and probs. like this.
this past month the car started running like crap so i decide to readjust the rockers. so of course i did because i have not life except to live for my car. after that the car ran the best it has all summer, for 2 days after that it started backfiring, the #8 exhaust vavle want moving at all, so i readjusted it switched rockerarms push rods but to no evaile. the only way to make the rocker to move any more was to crank it down all the way and it still only moved half as much as the rest of the rocker arms. So i talked to some mechanic buddies and they say the same, "flattened a lobe on the cam" wich i think is true but thats B.S., i spent good money for these products that are suposed to be of excelent quality and they take a **** on me after 2 years. Now i know some of you might be thinking that this kid dont know squat but iv been playing with cars since i was 8 and have been a hard core HOTRODDER for 5, and all my friends come to me when they have questions and need help, sooo i dont think i messed up the cam when i adjusted the valves the first time. but i would like to know andones input on crane cams or and probs. like this.
Supreme Member
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 3,238
Likes: 4
From: Calgary, Alberta, Republic of Western Canada
Car: 1986 Sport Coupé
Engine: 305-4v
Transmission: 700R4 and TransGo2
What can anyone say?
It happens when it happens, and it does happen--regardless of manufacturer
Did you break it in and lube it according to instructions?
It happens when it happens, and it does happen--regardless of manufacturer
Did you break it in and lube it according to instructions?
Last edited by Sitting Bull; Oct 5, 2002 at 11:29 PM.
Supreme Member
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 4,969
Likes: 0
From: USA
Car: yy wife, crazy.
Engine: 350, Vortecs, 650DP
Transmission: TH-350
Axle/Gears: 8.5", 3.42
Here's a post I made in the TBI board. I never had any problems with the 2 cars I've had with Crane cams.
I've had a couple cars with solid cams, albeit the funnest one was a '72 Nova.
It had a 355, 462 Camel Hump heads, Holley 750 DBL-PMPR, Holley high rise intake, and a Crane FireBall cam. Adv. dur. was 302* @ .510 lift. Not SUPER radical, but FUN!!!!!! 7500 RPM no problem
I didn't do that a lot (probably once or twice) since the crank and rods were stock cast units. But it wasn't abnormal for me to wind her to 6500. Of course it had 1.6 full rollers, guide plates, and hardened PRs so the valve train had no problem at all.
I need to stop talking about it ..... I miss that car
This is my first car with a hyd. roller cam. From what I've read and seen, it's a blessing in disguise.
AJ
It had a 355, 462 Camel Hump heads, Holley 750 DBL-PMPR, Holley high rise intake, and a Crane FireBall cam. Adv. dur. was 302* @ .510 lift. Not SUPER radical, but FUN!!!!!! 7500 RPM no problem
I didn't do that a lot (probably once or twice) since the crank and rods were stock cast units. But it wasn't abnormal for me to wind her to 6500. Of course it had 1.6 full rollers, guide plates, and hardened PRs so the valve train had no problem at all.
I need to stop talking about it ..... I miss that car
This is my first car with a hyd. roller cam. From what I've read and seen, it's a blessing in disguise.
AJ
TGO Supporter
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,811
Likes: 1
From: Jackson County
i've got a crane in my old car, been in it since 1987 still works good. parts fail, even good ones. did you run old lifters on a new cam? do the proper break in? run the valves right? springs match the cam?
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 43,187
Likes: 43
From: Littleton, CO USA
Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: L92/LQ4 (both w/4" stroke)
Transmission: 4L80E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
Are you sure you don't have a rocker arm stud pulling out?
No problem with my cam/lifters. Used new rockers but old pushrods, and the heads have screw-in studs.
No problem with my cam/lifters. Used new rockers but old pushrods, and the heads have screw-in studs.
Supreme Member
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 6,111
Likes: 53
From: Ontario, Canada
Car: 1988 Firebird S/E
Engine: 406Ci Vortec SBC
Transmission: TH-350/3500stall
Axle/Gears: 7.5" Auburn 4.10 Posi-Traction
The most likely cause of your cam lobe failure
is the lifter stopped spinning in its bore.
When this happens the lifter and cam lobe ALWAYS soon fail.
The clearance in the lifter bore is very small, a single piece
of grit can lock a lifter in its bore stopping it from spinning.
I've had good Crane cams, Comp cams Factory GM cams and others fail because of this over the years. In both big blocks and different small blocks.
You can blame your crappy $2 oil filter.
When you change cams, be sure to hone the lifter bores
a little with a brake cylinder hone to remove any burrs in the bores caused by this dirt. Then wash the bores down with
brake cleaner. Change your oil and filter * Before* you
fire the motor. Change it again after you break in the cam.
Every car that I've addressed the lifter bores that failed
with a light honeing has had no more problems.
Try it.
is the lifter stopped spinning in its bore.
When this happens the lifter and cam lobe ALWAYS soon fail.
The clearance in the lifter bore is very small, a single piece
of grit can lock a lifter in its bore stopping it from spinning.
I've had good Crane cams, Comp cams Factory GM cams and others fail because of this over the years. In both big blocks and different small blocks.
You can blame your crappy $2 oil filter.
When you change cams, be sure to hone the lifter bores
a little with a brake cylinder hone to remove any burrs in the bores caused by this dirt. Then wash the bores down with
brake cleaner. Change your oil and filter * Before* you
fire the motor. Change it again after you break in the cam.
Every car that I've addressed the lifter bores that failed
with a light honeing has had no more problems.
Try it.
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