Looks like my new 430 rebuild in the 67 GS has wiped the front cam bearing. No oil up top drivers side and fluctuating oil pressure. I know this has been discussed multiple times here, but I can’t seem to find the thread that troubleshoots and discusses the TA grooved front cam bearing. Someone please point me to the thread(s). Thanks in advance....
Thanks for the link. Exactly what I was looking for. As to why....no info yet. About 150 road miles on it this year after a 15+ year resto. Motor was done by my race guy last year (stock), and break in was uneventful. Had put an oil pressure gage on it for break in and decided to leave it on. Noticed it was getting pretty low (8-10lbs) at start up as I was getting it sorted and on the road. Pulled covers and noticed the dry left side and remembered seeing the thread here on the issue. Will do a full reading and troubleshoot as time allows the next few weeks. Was hoping to be on the road by now. Ah well.....
Cam bearings may have been improperly installed or the galley plug either came out or installed too deep in the hole. Cam bearing may not have had the holes lined up. It's important to actually look and see that the holes are aligned in the cam bearing to block installation.
Thanks all. Yeah, my engine guy is good with LT/LS stuff, but I’m not sure he know any Buick “tricks”. Really hoping to get away with an in the car fix, but if it’s gotta come out..... I see how to troubleshoot the front cam/upper oiling, but is there a way to verify the galley plug without a full tear down. (Now I’m showing my BBB ignorance)(haven’t yet fully read the thread. Work. So if it’s there I’ll get to it)
The plugs are visible behind the cam gear on either side of the front cam bearing. JW taps them for screw in plugs, but stock they are cup plugs staked in place.
Pull the front cover and have a look. You may be able to snake a bore scope up there, but, you have to take it apart to fix anyway.
Thanks all. On the road till next week. Will have a look see as soon as I can. from memory the oil pressure is fine cold. 30ish on start and steady 50ish on the road. At temp start up holds 10ish or a tick less (cheap gage) and 30-50 fluctuations on the road. Drivers side top end is bone dry with no visible lubrication. Anywhere. First on the troubleshooting list is to pull passengers cover to check, then probably intake and front cover to go through steps in the thread, then.....? was just getting into having the car done when this popped up and I got sent out for work (glad C19 is perhaps winding down, but it wreaks havoc with my work schedule).
That's low pressures. I am 65-70 on a cold start even at low RPM (1000-1200). Once up to temperature, lower 20's at an in gear idle, jumps up to 40+ if I breathe on the gas pedal, 55 at steady state cruise, 75-80 at 5800 shift points.
Is that fluctuating at a steady cruise, say your doing 60 mph, and the oil pressure varies by 20 lbs?
Update: So, Finally had some time to figure out my oiling issue. Before starting to tear everything down I figured I’d pull both rocker covers and do an A.B. comparison on oiling just to see how much more oil the passenger side was getting the driver side. As you can see from the pictures, it was getting a lot more oil. Like all the oil. Looks like it pumped out about a quart and a half in the time it took me to get out of the driver seat and walk around the open hood. The front cap on the rocker arm shaft has blown off. It looks like those are just pressed on caps, so I’m digging through the pile to see if I have a straight shaft in the parts bin to replace it. On one hand I’m happy that it’s an easy fix. On the other hand I really hope I didn’t hurt anything.
Or….Thoughts on just pressing it back on? Super epoxy? Pin? (Be nice if I could pin it in place, but pretty sure my DeWalt would have a hard time making a hole). If this is a common failure LMK. Or, my luck, it’s a one-off nobodies heard of.
That’s kinda how we’re thinking. My motor guy suggested A freeze plug to stop the oil and then re-press the cap with permanent Loctite. The freeze plug would keep the oil pressure from blowing off the cap and the cap would still be there to capture the rocker arm. Going to sleep on it tonight as there’s still a couple other suggestions out there. One is to pin it, but pretty sure I could never get a hole in that shaft. Another is to spot weld it….drill a couple of holes in the cap then spot weld through the holes. Freeze plug is in the lead right now. Looks like it’s going to be an easy in place fix. Hope I didn’t hurt anything….
