i just put a cam in my 96 t/a
i broke a cam retainer bolt, so only 1 of 2 are securing the cam retainer.

the car starts when the front tires are on jack stands (at an angle)

when i lowered it onto the ground...it started...but died and wont start anymore.

is it possible the cam is walking right into the opti...bottoming it out? due to the cam retainer not secureing the cam?

thank you for reading.

 

Probably best to post on "LT1 Tech".....

 

If it were me, I'd go to Chevrolet and spend the $5.00 on some new retainer bolts.

-Dave C. '97 Z28

PS: Also, if the lifters are pushing the cam forward (which is what usually causes cam walk), a little gravity will not prevent it.

 

Why would you put that back together after breaking a retainer bolt? I wouldnt have... Dont cut corners when doing something semi major to a motor like that..

 

you are walking the cam right off the lobes and if you run it like that for too long it will start to destroy the cam bearings from the cam fighting to come out of the block. it will hit the cover and then hit the oil pump drive and then reverse again and again, meanwhile all the internals are doing a peepee dance!!

 

I Just did the same thing!! What options do I have? there is a cam retainer bolt w/locktite broken off in my block. Didn't expect it to break at 105 in/lbs.

 

i got my broken bolt out with a hammer and a punch. I spent a few hours getting it out...."cam walk" wasnt my problem and having only 1 cam retainer bolt is more than enough to hold that plate on. But for piece of mind....spend the time and do it right.

 

Hey WS6 Envy, Thanks for your reply. Just curious how hard was it to retreive the loose screw and did you have to helicoil the hole afterwards?