9 flat cam lobes

[z284pwr]

We pulled out built 3.1 engine apart and found 6 rounded lifters and 3 on the way out. Only 3 lifters still have the indication of a good cam lobe.
Would this be a sign of the notorious poor 3.1 oiling at high RPM or would this have been the cause of something else? The previous oil change was 2500 miles ago and had zero metal, we drained the oil and the entire magnetic drain plug was covered in metal shavings.

http://www.edwardsracing.net/off_topic/cam/Lifters1.jpg

http://www.edwardsracing.net/off_topic/cam/Lifters2.jpg

http://www.edwardsracing.net/off_topic/cam/Lifters3.jpg

http://www.edwardsracing.net/off_topic/cam/Lifters4.jpg

http://www.edwardsracing.net/off_topic/cam/Lifters5.jpg

[Superdave]

Looks like poor oiling to me... Time for a gen3 engine

[turboD]

I would say that it's the "type" of oil, not a bad oiling system. Most Hot Roders are running into this problem in flat tappet type engines, caused by the additives that are now missing in modern oils - zinc being the most mentioned. If you check Summit, Jegs, etc,
the're all carring the oil additives for these cams. D

[34blazer]

whats the specs on the cam, what kind of valvetrain. aftermarket or OEM?

[1988GTU]

I would say that it's the "type" of oil, not a bad oiling system. Most Hot Roders are running into this problem in flat tappet type engines, caused by the additives that are now missing in modern oils - zinc being the most mentioned. If you check Summit, Jegs, etc,
the're all carring the oil additives for these cams. D

`
+1.

[geoffinbc]

That or they are shitty lifters or the cam was never broken in right from day 1. My Trooper 2.8L had over 300,000KMS on it and the cam and lifters were is very good shape.

[torq455]

yeah...is this a stock 3.1? ever since the zinc issues and such with today's oils, i've been concerned about my lifters/lobes doing the same thing. i have 156k miles on her so far. the HI PO engines, even with proper break in procedures, have had problems later on with lobe flattening.

[z284pwr]

yeah...is this a stock 3.1? ever since the zinc issues and such with today's oils, i've been concerned about my lifters/lobes doing the same thing. i have 156k miles on her so far. the HI PO engines, even with proper break in procedures, have had problems later on with lobe flattening.

No, engine is far from stock...Build sheet:

http://www.edwardsracing.net/off_topic/engine.jpg

The engine was broken in properly (not using Synthetic) and has been running Mobil 1 since then, so that's been 6 years it has been running. The cam was a custom grind cam from Crower. I had read also there were concerns about Mobil 1 and wear on some engines.
Specs on the cam:

http://www.edwardsracing.net/off_topic/cam.jpg

214°/210° IN/EX Duration, 115 LSA.
Everything, except I believe pushrods, are aftermarket.
Comp Cam Magnum Roller Tip Rockers showed no signs of wear.

I'm really interesting to doing the research in modding the block to fit the 3400 roller cam in it. We want to keep the intakes to fit the TGP 3.1 Intercooled Turbo as we aren't going for all out performance. I know Jud did it in his TGP, I was considering doing something similar, we have access to fabrications and anything we would need, just trying to do the research to see what all is involved.

[34blazer]

what valve springs were you using? are the roller tip rockers a 1.6 ratio? and did you check the clearance at max lift between the valve retainer and valve guide?

[MY91GT(Z)]

you could do gen 3 and port the maniflod to the shape of the new motor and i believe everything should line back up w/o and issue other then maybe the egr

[geoffinbc]

Or you can just switch blocks and put everything from your 3.1L into a 3100 block.

[Superdave]

Or you can just switch blocks and put everything from your 3.1L into a 3100 block.

Yep, or a 3400.. why not gain a little displacement for the money..

[RedBird]

he probably wants to keep his 750 dollar set of pistons Mr. Dave

[torq455]

what kind of driving, rpm, and miles has this engine seen?

[z284pwr]

what kind of driving, rpm, and miles has this engine seen?

It has been mostly just a cruise around the city driving. Never been raced. It has mostly seen regular cruisr RPMs, the most it has ever gone was 7,000 when the transmission was messed up, it would shift then slip into neutral at full throttle. Most driving was with the 4T60 just in drive so no manual shifting, it has seen 6500 a few times but I dont beat it so not much. Miles are maybe 20,000-25,000. It was in an '88 Beretta for a year with all city driving and then 5 years in the TGP but its had other issues so its rarely seen over 5,000 a year.