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Hot Rods Small block 305 cam and compression question

Discussion in 'The Hokey Ass Message Board' started by captainbob, Feb 14, 2022.

  1. X-cpe
    Joined: Mar 9, 2018
    Posts: 2,215

    X-cpe

    When diagnosing a problem it's so easy and natural to dismiss new parts as good, but there is a reason they put a warranty on things.
     
  2. indyjps
    Joined: Feb 21, 2007
    Posts: 5,393

    indyjps
    Member

    Happy you found the likely cause.

    Gotta ask, stock 305 cam, since you're driving to summit, how about an upgrade. :D every sbc needs a new cam, we're on a hot rod site.
     
    Blues4U, gimpyshotrods and Budget36 like this.
  3. Deuces
    Joined: Nov 3, 2009
    Posts: 26,377

    Deuces

    That was the 307....;)
     
  4. captainbob
    Joined: Nov 12, 2012
    Posts: 48

    captainbob
    Member
    from Georgia

    I took the lifter apart and found a defect. The bleed hole was drilled and you can see that the bit must have been dull because of the metal that was left around the hole inside. Poor quality workmanship. I would have expected more since the rebuild kit was not one of the cheaper versions or unknown brand names. The spring inside would have "hung up" on the metal protrusions not allowing the piston to return to the top..as it was found.
    Sometimes it doesn't matter who you think is better when buying parts. Poor quality comes under all brand names and products come from places you would never expect. 123.jpg
     
    Budget36, Blues4U, Hotrodmyk and 2 others like this.
  5. I'd clean that up and run it
     
    Desoto291Hemi and Truck64 like this.
  6. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,135

    squirrel
    Member

    I doubt that's the problem. Does it all move freely now? does the plunger spring back up? Does the check valve work?

    Also...what does the face of the lifter look like, where it rides on the cam?
     
  7. Jimbo17
    Joined: Aug 19, 2008
    Posts: 3,959

    Jimbo17
    Member

    I had my wife's station wagon with a 305 and when going up any hill and had both feet pushing the gas petal you might have going 30 M.P.H.

    Bad cam lobes!
    Jimbo
     
  8. captainbob
    Joined: Nov 12, 2012
    Posts: 48

    captainbob
    Member
    from Georgia

    I took the lifter apart and found a defect. The bleed hole was drilled and you can see that the bit must have been dull because of the metal that was left around the hole inside. Poor quality workmanship. I would have expected more since the rebuild kit was not one of the cheaper versions or unknown brand names.
    Replaced it with a new Melling for under $10. Not worth the effort and risk.
     

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  9. captainbob
    Joined: Nov 12, 2012
    Posts: 48

    captainbob
    Member
    from Georgia

    I replaced it with an new Melling part for under $10. I'm done with that lifter! It still looked new and the face to the cam was still brand new looking with nothing there. All back together now and after another compression check, it's working perfectly and adjusted like it should. I tried to get the inoperative lifter to spring up, but it wouldn't. If the hole metal was not the problem, I don't know what was. It's on it's way to the landfill soon.
     
    indyjps and squirrel like this.
  10. :D Fully understand
     
    Last edited: Feb 16, 2022
  11. squirrel
    Joined: Sep 23, 2004
    Posts: 59,135

    squirrel
    Member

    glad to see you got it working.

    Being an engineer, I have to understand what went wrong, with everything. I guess most folks just aren't that curious?
     
  12. blue 49
    Joined: Dec 24, 2006
    Posts: 2,070

    blue 49
    Member
    from Iowa

    Just a dumb question. Would pre-lubing the engine have brought that piston back up to where it should be?

    Gary
     
  13. Glad you were able to diagnose, and rectify your problem. Good idea not to throw parts at it, and never really find the root cause.
    Thanks for sharing.
     

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