So I've been through two cams on my 89 351w. Just went thro it an put edelbrock heads a cam and an intake on it. 15 minutes into the cam break in an I end up with what's in the pics. Wore off the first few lobes on the first cam and destroyed one lifter and. Few others were on they're way. Edelbrock told me I adjusted the rockers wrong (which are comp 1.6 rollers) so I bent over and bought another one. But did the same damn thing with the new cam. 15 mins into the break in an had the same noise. Tore it down today an same thing just different lobes. Destroyed two lifers an the rest were perfect. I followed the break in an adjustment direstions exactly. I'm at a loss. I will call edelbrock tmrw but I wanted to see if anyone else has ever had this problem. I've done many a flat tappet cams an never had this happen. It's an edl-7182 cam with the 60259 alum heads. Sposed to be a matched set.

 

My first thought would be too tight of clearance in the valve guides...

 

Really? Even with brand new assembled heads?

 

its possible, but i would try a different cam company first, ive always had awesome luck with my Comp Flat Tappet cams.

 

I have too...This is my first edelbrock cam and so far they suck. My last two were comps so I'll probly be going back to them.

What all is involved in making it a roller cam? Purdy sure its all gotta be done while the block is bare but I'm not sure, never delt with one.

 

My friend, your problem is in your OIL ! You are apparently using a motor oil with little or no ZDDP. There was a E.P.A. ruling that as of 2 years ago the Zinc content of motor oils produced as of Jan. 2008 had to be greatly reduced because the geniuses discovered that cars with Catylitic converters would start fouling up as the engines mileage increased and blowby would start to occur. An engine with a flat tappet cam and lifters would not survive w/o the right oil containing the right amount of ZDDP. Competition Cams had a slew of complaints about cams failing on break in. They did the research and came up with this finding about ZDDP. There have been numerous articles written about this problem. You can purchase a product called ZDDP plus for about 9 or 10 bucks a bottle. You have to use this with every oil change. The only exception is if you have a roller cam or overhead cam as the friction is minimal on these set ups. Sorry about your bad luck with your cams.... Now that you are made aware of this, you should be o.k. with the next install..best of luck....Ernie

 

while what your saying is true, i have always just used regular 10W30 with my cams, just broke a Comp ***** Thumpr cam in my SBC about 4 months ago on regular old 10W30, not one problem.

 

100% agree!!
1. get yourself some ZDDP to be on the safest side
2. check your OIL PRESSURE or OIL PRESSURE GAUGE(if it is stuck)
3. check the oil gullies and "projection holes" for clogging
4. stick with COMP CAMS
5. what brand of lifters???

 

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/EDL-7182/

Look at he "REQUIRED PARTS" on the right side of the screen for your cam!!...
BREAK IN FLUID ADDITIVES!! Much like the additives you need for a LSD in the axle for less friction an temp control!!

I hope this helps

 

honestly, i think most of your problem lies within it being a Edelbrock Cam, edelbrock should stick to what they know, which is intakes, I would pick up a comp cam and lifter set.