A couple weeks ago my car suddenly started making an awful sound. Here's a vid of it running. http://s47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...t=MVI_3576.flv

I pulled the valve cover after determining the sound was coming from the #1 cylinder, loosened up the intake rocker and the sound went away. So, I started tearing her down. This is the lifter, http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_3630.jpg
Obviously, it's time for a new cam. So, I just pulled the cam out and here's a pic of it.http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f1...s/IMG_3667.jpg

Now it's time to start buying parts. Here's my list so far.
Camshaft w/ valve springs and retainers (Unsure of specs right now)
Lifters
Timing chain
AC delete pulley
Optispark (my brother gave me a new one but it's the non-vented type) and mine rattles when I spin the gear
new belt tensioner
serpentine belt
Gaskets
PCM tune

And, the parts I'm hoping to get,
a new set of heads (stock) if I can talk my friend out of them
1.6 roller rockers
headers, Y-pipe and cats
Valve covers

Comments welcome.

I guess I should give some info on my car.
It's a 96 Formula, M6 with cat-back exhaust, free mods, Ram Air, SLP fan switch w/ 160 stat, Moser axles, B&M sport shifter, 3:42s
and 128,000 miles

 

What the hell happened to it?

 

My guess is, something got in between the lifter and the cam lobe and chewed it up.
I changed the oil right after it started making noise. I had just switched to synthetic oil about 3300 miles before this happened. I don't know if that had anything to do with it's demise or not.

I'm considering this cam.
Comp Cams "305" LT1 Camshaft, 220 / 230, .510 / .510 112 LSA, More aggressive with good street drivability and decent vacuum. Good midrange power.

 

RUSS!!!! wow thats why your swapping cams? that sounded like crap along with the cam looking the same way my 503 did when I pulled it out.

 

That is nasty. Was the lifter roller still able to spin freely, or did it seize up causing that damage?

 

The lifter still spun freely. It didn't sound or feel much different from any of the others. I'm still puzzled as to what caused the damage. But hey, it gave me an excuse to make it faster.
Here's pics from tonight.
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[IMG][/IMG]

 

maybe that green bottle over there had something to do with it lol

 

HaHa, nah, that bottle is for my Son's car.

 

If you know what spring was on that lifter then have it pressure tested. Could've been caused by a weak spring tossing the lifter ultimately eating itself and the cam lobe.

 

Thanks for the tip. I hadn't thought of that. I'm replacing the springs anyway so I'll check it then.

 

Hi Russ

weak springs are definitely a thought.

can the non vented opti be converted? if not, you might consider selling it to me, i think my '94 uses that one.

we will drop by friday and look at your broken motor.

 

I also recommend an oil pump primer and a 90 degree angle chuck. That helped me prelube everything when I pulled it apart.