I may have wiped the lobes off my cam. Why?

[Skulptorchaz]

Well, we were out on a nice ride last weekend and I dropped a cylinder. I pulled over to see what it was as I have had issues with dirt in the idle circuit of my duals (EMPI). I found it was #1 cylinder but the carb cleaner would not blow it out so I limped her home. I went thru the carb, put it back on and decided to adjust my valves while I was at it.............. #1 intake was off it's rocker. The cromo tube had mushroomed over on one end, and the exhaust push rod was loose. I pulled them all and the rest were fine. I have spares so I made two new ones to the proper length, and when I put them in, they were way too short.
The only thing I can think is that the cam has the #1 cylinder lobes wiped off, for some reason. What else could it be?
The only thing I can see that "might" have been a small issue is the push rods were slightly rubbing on the tubes at the "head end" and wore the rods shiny. They ran really close to the mouth of the tube but they adjusted OK. (I have the screw type pushrod tubes you can take apart.)
Any ideas why this would happen? I only have a couple summers on this engine since completely rebuilt to a 1915.
Any help/advice GREATLY appreciated.
Not a happy camper.

[Glenn]

#1 and #3 use the same lobes, so if #1 is shot then #3 should be also.
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Glenn
74 Beetle Specs | 74 Beetle Restoration | 2180cc Engine
"You may not get what you pay for, but you always pay for what you get"

Member #1009

#BlueSquare

[Skulptorchaz]

Thanks Glenn. I did not know that. I did just go look at an old cam and got an education moment. So now I have to figure out what is going on.
THANK YOU!

[didget69]

New cam & lifters during rebuild? What valve springs did you use?

bryan
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I never found the need to impress people with any mechanic certifications, trophies or track wins... unless it was for Mom to post on the refrigerator door.

[Skulptorchaz]

Oh yeah, complete rebuild. Even new Panchito's.
I am crazy busy with work and getting my place ready for a home tour so I haven't been able to look back at it again but, any suggestions are greatly appreciated.
If the cam is good - which seems to be the case - then I guess it's on the other end, which is equally disturbing.
I guess I may be pulling the head......................

[cbeck]

I would try to get a look at the inside of those lifters before taking too much apart.
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My cut in half and rebuild thread
www.thesamba.com/vw/forum/viewtopic.php?t=647779

[Ulu]

The #1 rocker shaft stud to the head may have pulled a bit.
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SS100 kit kar
1600cc DP

[Skulptorchaz]

Ulu, I'll check that! I hope not. That doesn't sound like an easy fix. I'm assuming that would mean stripped threads.
thanks.

[Skulptorchaz]

Ulu, yep, you were correct. The stud unscrewed a bit. Not sure why or how, especially after I was actually driving it when the cylinder went dead. I'll talk with CB and see where they need to be torqued.
Gentlemen, as always, I greatly appreciate the help.
One more quick question, not worthy of it's own post but, what size is the crank pulley bolt? I've never had a socket for that and always used an adjustable for it and I need to get a socket and do it right.....somehow. The way I have mine set up, the license plate is in the way. I'll have to get creative, as always.
Thanks.

[MrGoodtunes]

[Skulptorchaz]

MrGoodtunes,
Thanks....and thanks!
The threads are intact (thankfully). I'm getting a new set of chrom-mo from CB.They sent me an email about it and I have a call into them to find out torque and if Loc-Tite is a good idea or not.
Thank you again my friend!

[clonebug]

Blue loc-tite and 14 ft lb. torque on the nut.
Put a good washer under the nut too.
I usually put the stud into the head hand tight with the loc-tite
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[oprn]

The stock washer was the wavey springy kind so if it is missing find another or use a lock washer. A standard flat washer may work loose again.
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We had the stone age, the bronze age, the industrial age and now we are in the age of mass deception and mind control for corporate profit. (The mass media age)

[Skulptorchaz]

Thanks again gents. I got new chrom-mo studs, washers and nuts (15mm) and replaced them. I snugged the studs in to where the length was exactly flush with the top of the nut with washer. I also used blue loc-tite.
It looks like when my builder put the heads together, he only loc-tited 2 of the 4 studs.
Hopefully this will cure my problem.
Thanks again for all the help!!!
Chaz

[mark tucker]

put some chromoly studs in them and lock tight the studs. all the studs Ive gotten in cb heads were shit. not sure wht they put junk studs in them... unless they are now putting good ones in.

[slalombuggy]

Rocker studs working their way out of the head has been a constant struggle with me on my Bonneville engine. Its happened twice. Once with a chromoly stock style stud and once with a Pauter stud. Both times I was fishing broken studs out of the head. I forget the thread locker that's on them now, but it was supposed to be the best. I also double nut them.

[Ulu]

I remember a lot of Volkswagens coming into the gas station with noisy valves. Generally speaking, it was the left front stud or nut (#3) that was loose.

I was a show off in those days, so people were always amazed when I would pop off the valve cover, tighten one nut, and then their car was running fine.

Of course sometimes you’d get one with the burned #3 exhaust valve, & sell them a rebuilt engine.
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SS100 kit kar
1600cc DP

[mark tucker]

be sure to breakleen out the holes real good so the locktight works!! blue, red, or even gelseal works just fine. I use purople on most stuff..I have a few bottels of it. and I do like to get stuff appart when I want to.