singleslammer
singleslammer PowerDork
7/10/19 8:15 a.m.

So I have noticed a ticking noise in the last few hundred miles in the MR2 S/C I picked up last year. I used a cheap stethoscope to determine that it was coming from the head. Pulled the valve covers to the below pictures. The engine only has about 1000 miles on it. I am not real familiar to what healthy internals look like but this doesn't look good to me. Sorry that the pictures are a little washed out. To my eyes, the ramps have a scruffy looking bronze color on them and the top of the lobe looks a bit beat up. These are aftermarket cams. 

Dusterbd13-michael
Dusterbd13-michael MegaDork
7/10/19 8:17 a.m.

Those cam lobes do NOT look healthy. 

NordicSaab
NordicSaab Dork
7/10/19 8:21 a.m.

definitely looks like an oiling issue... but, im surprised the peaks arn't worn down more.  

What is your oil pressure psi?  Oil squirters working?  

singleslammer
singleslammer PowerDork
7/10/19 8:25 a.m.

In reply to NordicSaab :

No idea. I will see I can find a "How to" on that. 

Edit: on the oil squirters. I know how to check oil pressure. 

Someone in the 4AG community thinks that the valves might be overly tight so I will check clearance tonight. 

singleslammer
singleslammer PowerDork
7/11/19 8:24 a.m.

Ok, I think I have the culprit. The cams and springs are nice quality upgrades but the lifter buckets are the stock shim over design. With the aggressive cam grind, it causes the shim to jump. My choices are stock cams or shim under/shimless bucket swap. I really SHOULD go back to stock cams (that is what OldSkewlToy said from the beginning) but honestly it is a toy and I really like the insanity of these cams. 

singleslammer
singleslammer PowerDork
7/11/19 8:37 a.m.

After reviewing some emails with Dan (OldSkewlToy), I think that I need to swap back to stock cams for now. The stock compression is too low to justify these insame cams. 

jfryjfry
jfryjfry Dork
7/11/19 8:48 a.m.

At least you’re able to find the cause of the problem. That’s the biggest challenge in these kind of situations. No use that to make peace with that smaller Cam

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/11/19 8:56 a.m.

What cams are these? If they'll work decently when polished up, I might buy them off you...I wouldn't care that they're ugly and have a bit less lift & duration than they originally came with.

Robbie
Robbie GRM+ Memberand UltimaDork
7/11/19 9:19 a.m.

Ug. Bummer.

However, stock cams running at 7k rpm with the tail out are way more fun than awesome cams sitting in the garage.

singleslammer
singleslammer PowerDork
7/11/19 10:12 a.m.

In reply to GameboyRMH :

They are Web 101s. The full specs are on their sight. I don't think they have any permanent damage. I am definitely going to sell them. I have no idea what going rate in on used cams but I would happily cut you a reasonable deal.  

singleslammer
singleslammer PowerDork
7/11/19 10:13 a.m.

In reply to Robbie :

Yeah, I think the stockers are plenty good for now. I have other limiting factors to deal with before a cam upgrade is required. 

singleslammer
singleslammer PowerDork
7/11/19 10:14 a.m.

In reply to jfryjfry :

No kidding. I am glad that this is a well researched engine and I had all the hallmarks of the shim issue. 

beaterku
beaterku New Reader
7/11/19 1:17 p.m.

When I bought these cams, there were very few cams to choose from.  I was much younger then, and the bigger is better mantra was strong.  In hindsight, a smaller cam, or even stock cam, would have be better suited.  Sorry to hear they are causing you fits.  

GameboyRMH
GameboyRMH GRM+ Memberand MegaDork
7/11/19 1:49 p.m.

Yeah I think if I were to buy these, I'd get them ground down to <8mm lift. They wouldn't be a bad choice for a big-power boosted build, but I can see why they caused shim trouble. I'm planning to switch to shimless buckets regardless.

singleslammer
singleslammer PowerDork
7/11/19 2:09 p.m.

In reply to beaterku :

No worries! I bought it from you fully expecting it to be a project. 

singleslammer
singleslammer PowerDork
7/11/19 2:11 p.m.

In reply to GameboyRMH :

I will polish them once they are out and let you know. If they are good and measure fine, I will probably try to sell open market just to help fund the project. If they need to be repaired, I will make you a deal!

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