Cam wiped out, what the hell did I do wrong?!?!?
Freak, I really liked the Crane grinds and I buy them when and where I can. They made great power, were quiet, and had no real "vices". I don't believe it has anythig to do with metalugy. There were some lifter issues with the finish machining some years ago, but for the most part aside from old stock sold on ebag or whatever for dirt cheap that has passed too. Two events happened simultaneously to really spotlight cam failures. Those were the EPA mandated drop in ZDDP from gasoline engine oils making it out to the general public, and the development of rates of lift that have almost no allowance for inconsistent parts interaction at the lifter face. No matter how good the metal is or how hard you make it, if there's not enough of the right oil or the angles of the lifter face and cam are off, the proper relationship is lost and the cam will fail. Every time. The oiling problem is being addressed with additives or "muscle car/offroad use" oils and pressurized oil feeds to the lifter faces (EDM processed lifters like Howards). But the angles have no fix except bushing the block. I do know several shops that will bush blocks for flat tappet use just to use the ultra-fast cams. It's still cheaper than going solid roller but still significant for the average enthusiast.