Help!! I screwed up

[ramarado]

I don't see how they really went anywhere. If the dist freezes so does the oil flow. The pump drives off the dist.

[Lance Hogan]

My neighbor was busy last evening and did not get a chance to look at my cam gear for a second opinion. I have turned the motor over (using a ratchet) to reevaluate the cam gear and to me, it looks to be ok. Further, I want to make clear that a few metal pieces were on top of the first lifter (driver side) where the push rod sits. The pieces might have landed in that location when I pulled the distributor out???

[Redmanbob]

If nothing else I think I'd pull the cam and lifters and wipe them down. Maybe disassemble the first few and check for debris ? Wouldn't think the rotating assembly has seen much unless you flipped the motor. You could pull it all down to be sure, not mandatory, but think you might be playing with fire. I wouldn't be able to sleep for a while LOL

[Lance Hogan]

I think pulling the cam is beyond my ability. I will have to get someone to do that for me.

Another question:

When I have the cam pulled, if the cam gears are found to be damaged, what new cam/lifters would you recommend me ordering? Below are my current engine specs:

Block: 390 bored .030 over
Heads: C3AE-6090C (new seats, valves, and guides)
Pistons: TRW pistons (.030 over) L2291Fs
pistons to be below deck was .012".
Current Cam: Speedpro
Intake Exhaust
.050 Dur. 214 224
SAE Dur. 292 302
Cam Lift .295 .310
Valve Lift .510 .536
Lobe Ctrs 107 117
Lash Hyd

Rods: stock
Crank: stock
Headgasket: standard gasket that came in SpeedPro kit
Intake: Edelbrock Performer (gasket matched)
Carb: 600 cfm edelbrock with electric choke (non emission)
Distributor: D.U.I

[Lance Hogan]

Update:

I pulled the lifters and cam. The cam and lifter look fine to me, but I am going to take them to my local autoparts for a second opinion (have them inspect the cam gear). I realize this will only be a visual inspection and am curious to hear your input on just purchasing a new cam to eliminate the problems 77Bronco experienced.

[77 Bronco]

Lance Hogan....You will see a definate difference in the way the cam gear looks. It shouldn't have chewed up the cam gear all the way around. If you look at the cam gear all the way around and it looks like the teeth are nice and not marked up I'd say your ok. Can you post a picture in your gallery? But since it did destroy the distributer gear, I'd clean that engine thouroughly even if you think the metal didn't get too far. Better safe now than really sorry later. Just my 2 cents.

[Redmanbob]

Originally Posted by 77 Bronco

Lance Hogan....You will see a definate difference in the way the cam gear looks. It shouldn't have chewed up the cam gear all the way around. If you look at the cam gear all the way around and it looks like the teeth are nice and not marked up I'd say your ok. Can you post a picture in your gallery? But since it did destroy the distributer gear, I'd clean that engine thouroughly even if you think the metal didn't get too far. Better safe now than really sorry later. Just my 2 cents.

Ditto,

take the first few lifters down and see if you find anything in them. It hasnt been started so the lifter address isnt issue at this point. But yeah hell the thing is out and 50% apart.. save yourself so undue stress and cursing. Figure the dog will love you a little more if he doesn't get kicked

[Lance Hogan]

I took the cam and damaged distributor to my local machine shop for inspection. The machinist examined the cam and found one small spot that he filed . He believes the cam is ok and ready for installation. Further, he too wondered what caused the cam gears to not mesh correctly. I showed him the distributor and he said "that isn't a 390 distributor, that is a 302 distributor". I explained to him that I took the word of the person who gave me the distributor that it was the correct one. Lesson learned!!


I have cleaned the entire block. Also, I installed the cam and timing set and hope to have the motor back together by early next week.

[krewat]

That's good news

At least you have a root cause.

Let us know how it goes every step of the way.