It has come to my attention that several folks have received cams from Crane with inconsistent base circle diameters recently, and unacceptably lower than stock. I don't need to mention what this does for proper lifter preload. DO NOT USE THEM unless you feel like monkeying around with things trying to get it all to fit right. I don't know WTF happened here, never before have I had this kind of BS with their product. I encourage all with the same issue to document it all carefully, time, costs, downtime, lack of warnings in literature etc., because I am preparing potential class-action. If they give me the run-around, I'll nail 'em to the floor because I can. And I'll make sure it affects their bottom line nonetheless, unless they feel like sending me a fat check for the extra couple of days downtime at 8 hrs. x $35/hr (my LOWEST rate at that) x triple.

I will be speaking to Comp's tech line about this issue (so I can get a cam that works without the headaches!), and my attorney's office forthwith. I strongly encourage those seeking a performance cam with minimal headaches to NOT consider Crane as an option. And I will be raising a big stink about this...

I hope this experience will save someone some headache and downtime down the line, as it has failed to do for myself...

Furthermore, I encourage those with similar experiences to list them here in this thread, so we can get some class-action going...

 

ya know...sometimes a milling machine or other machine with cutting devices has a part that wears out...if they don't catch it right away, it may affect a crate full of product, or it may only affect a couple individual parts...it could be that there was a new person operating that machine at the time that these pieces were produced...that is, in my own mind, no reason for class-action movements...get ahold of them and see if they are willing to inspect the affected piece, and they may replace it, free of charge, if it does not meet their standards...just because you end up with a faulty piece of equipment is by no means a reason to go ballistic on a company that by reputation sells quality parts and materials...just my two cents...

MontanaFord

 

1) Never should have gotten by QC.

2) This is a business vehicle. There is liability involved.

3) Downtime cost$.

4) I am not sending it back, I am using it as evidence. Sending it back removes physical proof.

5) They didn't even Parkerize the lobes.

6) I won't go completely ballistic until I attempt to calmly and methodically resolve this with Crane and am not satisfactorily compensated in good faith. I'm willing to compromise. But I'm not gonna completely eat it on downtime, shipping, or anything. Not happening. And "oh we're sorry here's a bunch of balloons and a gift certificate for another potentially defective product..." ain't gonna cut the mustard AT ALL.

Whereas you raise good considerations, and I've considered this myself, this does not pay for the inconvenience of not being able to use the vehicle when it's needed. Which I'd be able to do by now if this wasn't an issue. Replacing it free won't cover the downtime. Bottom line. This is not a satisfactory settlement. This will affect their reputation if they refuse to adequately compensate me for it. I'll see to it in spades. I'm not trying to extort unreasonable sums from them. I expect consideration, satisfaction, and AT LEAST meeting me halfway on the downtime and inconvenience. If this doesn't seem fair, I don't know what else to say, and it's BBB, AG, and litigation time. Not to mention circulating literature that clearly describes the dilemma. I don't want someone else to get shafted. Pure and simple.

Now imagine if I hadn't miked the lobes and thrown it in there and found this out the hard way...how much do you think it would have cost then? A motor? More days, gaskets, lifters, etc.? What if I wasn't a certified mechanic, and someone else was doing the work at the going rate?

Never underestimate the power of one EXTREMELY PO'ed individual with a vast amount of available resources...

 

I am glad I went with the comp cam, after hearing this.

 

i know you dont want toi spend any more money for crane parts but they offer a pushrod guideplate and stud conversion kit for the later style pedestal rockers. they use nylon inserts in the guideplates so you can use stock pushrods then you can run chevy 1.73 rockers for a few extras ponys while your at it.
The kit is like 90 bux for 16 but if they break a set then it might be around the same price for them to send you them instead of the pushrods.Then you wont have to worry about those stupid non adjustable rockers any more.

 

Indeed.

I considered Crane but like the claim of a "noticeable idle" of the Comp 268H

 

when did u order urs? i didnt have any problems with mine i installed. i ordered it about 3 weeks ago from summit. engine fires fine, no noises and everything went back together fine...hope i didnt just jinx myself...

 

I just put a Crane Truck Power in a few weeks back and it's doing fine. My family and I have been using Crane products for years without a single problem. Got any idea what has happened? Please keep us posted on how this progresses. Sure would hate to hear Crane has gone down but would hate it more if I got hold of one of their products that has turned to a pos.
I hope it's just one of those things that somehow happens and they make it right.

 

Im sure that this was an isolated incident, and at worst there may be one batch that might be affected. Im also sure that Crane is a professional and respectable company, and if they find your claims to be true, will do whatever they can to compensate you. They would not purposely ship out defective parts. Thats just not good business. They got to be where they are today by supplying quality merchandise. Im sorry about your situation, but keep a positive outlook that everything will work out for the best and leave litigation out of the picture until all avenues have expired.

-Matt

 

agreed, matt...

MontanaFord

 

Interesting. Last year I installed the Crane RV cam for the 300 (can't remember the actual part number) and the base circle was slightly larger. Wasn't able to torque the rocker stud nuts according to the factory specs. I simply added a second nut above the rocker fulcrum to lock the fulcrum in place on the stud. So I pretty much have "adjustable" studs now. You can be sure I was plenty worried that my setup would come loose upon start up, but 8,000 miles later they're still tight.

 

I have the Crane 901 truck cam. It assembled preffectly and runs like a charm. I belive this is a isolated incidnet, they just screwed up thats all. Comp cams is the one with problems, they have cams snapping in half and very poor build quaily at times. Crane is usually top notch when it comes to quaitly. I wouldnt get all bent out of shape about it I dont think all there cams are screwed up, and theres no reason for a lawsuit.