Hot Rods How...does a cam go flat ?

I always like it when someone says "my cam went flat" in less than a hundred miles, sure it did but it started before you left the driveway.
Generally, it's all about the initial startup and break-in procedure and the first half hour of running, letting a new engine idle before the cam is broken in is the kiss of death.

 

I don't know, I've had more than my share of Chebbies with flat cams.
Heck, some people still think points are in and the earth is flat... I just don't know any more.

 

New oil is not like old oil.

The steady movement to overhead cams have allowed for reduced valve spring pressure. Everything else has gained a roller.

This allows for a few things. It reduces friction, freeing up power and mileage, and reduces the need for anti-friction additives in the oil. Those additives have a tendency to eat sensors, and catalytic converters, all of which are mandated on modern vehicles.

So, while an issue with the cam itself cannot be ruled out, if you are not running an oil that has been specifically designed for flat-tappet cams, it is probably not helping the situation.

I have seen several cams with lobe damage. Some were old, some were new ones. My wife's SOHC late-model, for two years of the model run, had a soft-cam issue. It has a billet steel cam in it now.

 

You mean that points are out and the world is ROUND???

 

lmao!!

 

A fellow with a flat head asks how does a cam go flat.

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Why do we pay on the freeway ?

 

Exactly
I’m surprise this crap even make sense to us let alone anybody else in the world

 

Tires are only flat on one side.....And it always seems to be the bottom in most cases.

 

Yes

 

^^^^^ In other words Blow it out your ass!"

 

Sure, that works too

 

A cam goes flat when you leave the oil cap off and it loses all it's carbonation.

 

I thought they all started going flat when the box was opened, like when you open a beer.

 

The OP never said if it was a 3/4 cam. How are we supposed to help?

 

Does a 3/4 cam make an 8 cylinder run on only 6?

 

Thank you for reminding me. I just changed oil and forgot to put the cap Back!

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Interesting wear patterns.

 

Age, stress, lots of things.

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Could make anybody's bump stick go flat.

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Connecting rods hitting the cam lobes

 

Problaby when you go trough the hardened surface on the lobe they got soft and go down rather quick.
Then the soft material chips of over to the other side when the hardening start again.
So the lobes get straight betvin the hardened edges.
Hope this make any sense couse its hard to explain in english for me.

 

Ever notice how sleepy you get right after your cam goes flat?

 

Damn, I've been sleepy for 5 years now...

 

Had a flat Michelob once, but never a cam lobe

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I had a flat cam lobe once. They make you want to barf instead of burp. [emoji849]

 

Too many RPM? Weak springs? Missed a shift? A late 70s SBC?

 

Right!

 

SBC cams “going flat” started well before the late ‘70s....more like the late ‘50s.....you could say SBC with flat cams are “traditional”.....

 

This is REALLY...hard to believe. Are you guys freaking nuts..?

Just how much more B.S. could I have put into the question to make it more obvious to you all that this was a total and complete B.S. joke made up from a bored guy sitting and not doing much out doors because of the cold and rain..!

A "FLAT", (as in FLAT, like a window pane) lobe...again, just how does that happen without a grinder ???
I'll tell you...it DOESN'T. I've never seen one, and I'm almost 70.
Did you (most of you), actually READ that post..? As in all of the words ?
It was total bull shit from beginning to end.

Seems a couple may have picked up on it, though I haven't read all of the comments, most of you just musta ducked and let the actual information go right over your heads or in one eye and out the other..!

Ok, I give...no more jokes on the HAMB.

Mike