Cam lobe discoloration normal?

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71DodgeDemon340

71DodgeDemon340

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Hey guys, finally got started on my slow coolant leak from my intake, got the intake off, got everything cleaned up for the most part. Still a little oil and coolant i have to get out of the valley, I just had a question about the discoloration on the cam lobes, does it look normal?

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also hows the wear look on the rocker arm rollers?


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Gonna try to button up the intake tomorrow before the cold weather moves in
 
Yeah I see a couple of blue lobes. That ain't good.
 
Hard to tell from the photo if that's bluing on those few lobes or there just stained. 65'
 
Looks like a lack of good oiling to those 2 lifters. And/Or the use of oil for a modern engine that lacking the proper additives for flat tappets causing heat build up cooking the lobes.
 
Scody21 said:
Looks like a lack of good oiling to those 2 lifters. And/Or the use of oil for a modern engine that lacking the proper additives for flat tappets causing heat build up cooking the lobes.
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using mobil one 15w-50 full synthetic

supposed to pretty high on the zinc and phosphorous ppm
 
Engine was built by a reputable engine builder. Break in was done by the engine builder on the dyno
 
I don’t get it. The amount of money we all spend building these motors and then try to save a few bucks by buying some main stream mass produced oil for modern cars in our vintage junk just kills me. Most of us drive these cars lass than 5000 miles a year, this one oil change a year. What’s a case of Penn Grade cost? Less than 100 bucks for 2 oil changes plus some to top off.
Penn Grade or Gibbs Driven. Which both can be gotten from Summit or chity Amazon. Amzoil is also good.
 
Scody21 said:
I don’t get it. The amount of money we all spend building these motors and then try to save a few bucks by buying some main stream mass produced oil for modern cars in our vintage junk just kills me. Most of us drive these cars lass than 5000 miles a year, this one oil change a year. What’s a case of Penn Grade cost? Less than 100 bucks for 2 oil changes plus some to top off.
Penn Grade or Gibbs Driven. Which both can be gotten from Summit or chity Amazon.
Click to expand...


The mobil one 15w-50 is listed for racing and flat tappet applications, its what the engine builder recommended. Actually they recommended 20w-50 but a few years after i had the engine built mobil one changed to 15w-50. Maybe they altered the zinc levels?
 
Lobes don't look to have excessive wear, a few do appear to have gotten less oil flow. JMO 65'
 
71DodgeDemon340 said:
What would you guys recommend?

The mobil one 15w-50 shows 1200 ppm phosphorous and 1300 ppm zinc. Also list the 15w-50 for flat tappet applications

should i be worried about it?
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I use Lucas Hot Rod and Classic oil in mine. 10w30. It has 2400 PPM of ZDDP. I'm not sure your cam is really "hurt" yet, but it's on the way.
 
I know it cant be “undone” but would i see any issues later on? Eventually start wearing the lobes? Im going to contact the engine builder tomorrow and see what he says.
 
71DodgeDemon340 said:
I know it cant be “undone” but would i see any issues later on? Eventually start wearing the lobes? Im going to contact the engine builder tomorrow and see what he says.
Click to expand...
I don't know. I would step up to an oil with higher ZDDP and cross my fingers. It might be ok. Just no way to know.
 
So is it most likely a oil additive issue? I mean i cant make them receive any more oil. But i deff can change the zinc and phosphorous levels
 
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