LT5 Assembly Project - ZR-1 Net Registry Forums

A26B · 01-12-2009

Lee,
No one else has chimed in on the cam damage, so I will offer my 2 cents.

I am concerned about the integrity of the cam and re-using it. The cam nose design was modified for the later 405 Hp engine to add a second flat to address problems with the sprocket/vernier assy security to the camshaft. The bolt does hold the assy axially secure to the camshaft but does little if anything to secure it radially. That job is the function of the flat. With the amount of slack shown in your video, it is evident that the flat is damaged and does not have the fit & surface contact area as intended. You can time the cam with the slack taken out, but under operational load, it will have a higher propensity for failure. There may also be cracks that are not visible, further affecting structural integrity.

It may not immediately break the cam nose off when it fails, but at a minimum, when the flat shears and the sprocket/vernier rotates on the camshaft, metallic particulate will be released into the crankcase.

I would not use that camshaft in a new engine.

01-12-2009	#9
A26B Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Arcadia,OK Posts: 3,394	Re: LT5 Assembly Project Lee, No one else has chimed in on the cam damage, so I will offer my 2 cents. I am concerned about the integrity of the cam and re-using it. The cam nose design was modified for the later 405 Hp engine to add a second flat to address problems with the sprocket/vernier assy security to the camshaft. The bolt does hold the assy axially secure to the camshaft but does little if anything to secure it radially. That job is the function of the flat. With the amount of slack shown in your video, it is evident that the flat is damaged and does not have the fit & surface contact area as intended. You can time the cam with the slack taken out, but under operational load, it will have a higher propensity for failure. There may also be cracks that are not visible, further affecting structural integrity. It may not immediately break the cam nose off when it fails, but at a minimum, when the flat shears and the sprocket/vernier rotates on the camshaft, metallic particulate will be released into the crankcase. I would not use that camshaft in a new engine. __________________ Jerry Downey JERRYS LT5 GASKETS & PARTS http://www.jerrysgaskets.com 1994 *ZR-1*, Black/Black, Lingenfelter Aerobody, 416cu in, 3.91 gears, coil-over susp, Brembo brakes, etc. 2016 Black-Red, 3LT-Z51 Auto 8-speed.