Discussion
Hello folks, how's it going?
My Griff just lunched it's cam. At 50k miles that's no big news probably except for the fact that 10k ago it had a complete new setup installed. P404 with solid lifters, adjustable pushrods, timing chain etc etc. I was on my way to Virginia Water for the PH meet
The 404 is now out the car and two lobes are gone, with more than half the cam badly worn. Only the rear part of the cam has held it's shape.
In one way I'm quite relieved because the noise it made when I finally parked it up to be be towed was unbelievable. I was working on needing a new engine not a new cam. But then I get to thinking that just over 10k miles is a pretty poor show for a cam, however agressive the grind.
Anyhow, it's at the menders and I'm seriously considering turning the clock back and putting in a Supersport cam with a hydraulic set-up. The 404 was fun when opened up but could be a dog at low RPM in traffic.
Has anyone else got experience of putting miles on a 404 with no worries?
My Griff just lunched it's cam. At 50k miles that's no big news probably except for the fact that 10k ago it had a complete new setup installed. P404 with solid lifters, adjustable pushrods, timing chain etc etc. I was on my way to Virginia Water for the PH meet
The 404 is now out the car and two lobes are gone, with more than half the cam badly worn. Only the rear part of the cam has held it's shape.
In one way I'm quite relieved because the noise it made when I finally parked it up to be be towed was unbelievable. I was working on needing a new engine not a new cam. But then I get to thinking that just over 10k miles is a pretty poor show for a cam, however agressive the grind.
Anyhow, it's at the menders and I'm seriously considering turning the clock back and putting in a Supersport cam with a hydraulic set-up. The 404 was fun when opened up but could be a dog at low RPM in traffic.
Has anyone else got experience of putting miles on a 404 with no worries?
Sorry to hear that. You don't often hear of cams going at such a low mileage, and I wonder if there was some other problem that caused it. I know that the first minute or so of a cam's life are extremely critical and unless the correct procedure is followed the cam can be effectively destroyed. If the hardened surface has been damaged at this point, it might still take a few thousand miles for the cam to actually wear out.
Piper are the ones who insist on the correct running in procedure, i.e. 2000rpm for 20 minutes. TVR Power's cams are made by Kent, who apparently say this is not necessary. I don't know who makes the 404.
I would talk to the supplier and see what they have to say.
It could just be that it hadn't been hardened properly in the first place and was just a duff cam.
I would talk to the supplier and see what they have to say.
It could just be that it hadn't been hardened properly in the first place and was just a duff cam.
I'm surprised to hear that Kent say it isn't necessary. As far as I'm aware it applies to some extent to ALL cams, but particularly to high lift cams and even more to high lift short period cams. I would be surprised if there was a great deal of difference in the surface treatment between the various manufacturers?
FlipFlopGriff said:
2 lobes on ours were pretty bad, 30k.
We don't thrash it cold but no idea of previous ownerships.
FFG
The easy option would be for me to blame a previous owner. Knowing him I very much doubt he would have treated the car any different to me - he's a great guy. Would also be easy to presume there was something wrong with the cam. The harder thing to come to terms with is whether or not I've mistreated it. Though I'm always sensitive to getting up to running temp and keeping it well filled with oil etc.
Even though it will be pricey to correct, it's quite nice knowing that when it comes back I'm fully aware of the history of the new cam. That's always the unknown when you buy a used car - has it been treated well?
The running in thing we're talking about is quite different to the running in procedure which you would normally follow to bed in new components. It is specific to cams. After fitting a new cam, you must ensure that the very first time you start the engine it fires immediately and that you keep the revs over 2000 rpm for at least 20 minutes. No excuses, doesn't matter how sick it sounds or whether you have catastrophic water / oil or fuel leaks. If the revs drop below 2000 rpm before this time the cam can be severely damaged, although the damage might not be apparent for a few thousand miles.
angusfaldo said:
2 lobes on ours were pretty bad, 30k.
We don't thrash it cold but no idea of previous ownerships.
FFG
The easy option would be for me to blame a previous owner. Knowing him I very much doubt he would have treated the car any different to me - he's a great guy. Would also be easy to presume there was something wrong with the cam. The harder thing to come to terms with is whether or not I've mistreated it. Though I'm always sensitive to getting up to running temp and keeping it well filled with oil etc.
Even though it will be pricey to correct, it's quite nice knowing that when it comes back I'm fully aware of the history of the new cam. That's always the unknown when you buy a used car - has it been treated well?
I’ve heard that the TVR valve springs are pretty hard, did cam P404 kit contain springs as well, if not they may have contributed to the excessive wear.
Paul V said:
I’ve heard that the TVR valve springs are pretty hard, did cam P404 kit contain springs as well, if not they may have contributed to the excessive wear.
That's a good question. I couldn't answer it from the documents so I just rang the guys who fitted it. They confirm that the 404 cam kit did indeed include springs.
FlipFlopGriff said:
Going to pick the car up now with the Taraka upgrade so I assume Power will have doen the "running in" of the cam!!
At least i'll know the history from now.
I wasn't blaming a previous owner just not sure how long these things last. We've only done 6k of its 30k life.
FFG
Paul, is that why your engine failed? the cam, or were there other things wrong with it as well?
Grouch.
FlipFlopGriff said:
Going to pick the car up now with the Taraka upgrade so I assume Power will have doen the "running in" of the cam!!
At least i'll know the history from now.
I wasn't blaming a previous owner just not sure how long these things last. We've only done 6k of its 30k life.
FFG
I questioned them on this, and no, they don't run it in at 2000rpm for 20 minutes. They say it's not necessary. They say they have fitted hundreds without problems.
I certainly bed my new cam in ask the neighbours they were certainly up 
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