Through 3 months of major suspension/brake and minor engine work, new exhaust system, a full underbody detail, suspension and bodywork alignment - my car was ready to fire up and take for a spin around the block for a systems check.
After a week of trying to diagnose a no-start condition, I popped smoke and called in tactical support. I described my situation in detail, along with the symptoms and DRB readings. I tried multiple things and we emailed several times over the weekend. Dan then suggested something that was so far-fetched and outlandish that I kept dismissing the unthinkable until it was about the only thing I HADN'T tried...
I pulled a valve cover and checked for valve operation. There was none.
I am demoralized and my spirit is crushed. I have to take the fucker back apart again.
That is all.
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96 GTS, HMS CF airbox, Gen3 rockers, 10 qt. oil pan+ baffles, TNT headers, HF cats, X-pipe; IPSCO shifter & swaybar bushings, TKO swaybar end links, EMI Penske 3-way shocks, monoball/urethane suspension pivots, Comp Coupe alignment plates, Aeroquip brake lines, Tom's 40mm rear calipers. Lots of skinned knuckles, lots of fun!
I never took the cam out, and only checked the chain for stretch. I don't know if the cam bolt broke, or the camshaft broke. All I can think of is it may be related to trying to get 250 lb-ft on the crank bolt after re-sealing the timing cover. I had the SOB idling in the driveway while flushing the cooling system and the damn thing just quit running. It never would re-fire.
Hell - I'm the only person I know that ever had an automotive camshaft quit working as a root failure cause.
Last edited by GTS Dean; October 17th, 2016 at 08:49 PM.
Hell - I'm the only person I know that ever had an automotive camshaft quit working as a root failure cause.
I had a SBF years ago with a new Comp cam that broke the pin,was idling ok then put a few rpms to it and it just died. Took about 20min to figure it out (poped open the distributor cap and the rotor wasn't spinning) cause there's a distinct difference in engine sound when it turns over but it only bent a few valves.
This is one of those situations where I was hoping I was wrong. I actually alluded to this being the problem in the first e-mail when I was saying "I had an idea, but didn't want to say anything without more info" as this was basically a worst case scenario.
In any event, I hope you keep us updated on what you find. This is not the first time I have seen this... this would be the third time.
This is one of those situations where I was hoping I was wrong. I actually alluded to this being the problem in the first e-mail when I was saying "I had an idea, but didn't want to say anything without more info" as this was basically a worst case scenario.
In any event, I hope you keep us updated on what you find. This is not the first time I have seen this... this would be the third time.
Were the other occurrences identical failure modes? Sheared timing gear bolts? Broken cam?
I never took the cam out, and only checked the chain for stretch. I don't know if the cam bolt broke, or the camshaft broke. All I can think of is it may be related to trying to get 250 lb-ft on the crank bolt after re-sealing the timing cover. I had the SOB idling in the driveway while flushing the cooling system and the damn thing just quit running. It never would re-fire.
Hell - I'm the only person I know that ever had an automotive camshaft quit working as a root failure cause.
I totally had the same issue once. The little pin that comes out of the cam into the cam gear broke off. to the gear spun but the cam didnt. I went to a cam that requires 3 bolts now! LOL
Same situation as you...pulled car out to wash it. couldnt restart it. I was like how the F??!
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