440 Valvetrain Help

[DODGEZILLA]

I have a 440, that is studdering at low rpm. Here's what I have done:

1)SCOPED IGNITION, FOUND CYLINDER #4 LOW.
2)REMOVED SPARK PLUG FOR INSPECTION, FOUND PLUG FOULED.
3)TESTED COMPRESSION, FOUND ONLY 50LBS.
4)TEST LEAKDOWN, FOUND #4 @ 9% AT THE RINGS, CYLINDER #5 @ 8%,
ALSO AT THE RINGS.
5)VALVE TRAIN IS NOISEY,
I STRONGLY SUSPECT ISSUE DUE TO FLAT CAM LOBE OR A BROKEN LIFTER.

Opinions????

[440Ramcharger]

Pop the valve cover and take a look. Have someone crank her over and watch the rockers/cam lobes as the engine rotates.

[dave571]

Depending how bad it's wiped, you may be able to flop the rocker around when the lifter is on the base circle.

I know on the old gm's that used to wipe cams' you could actually see the rocker not move, while rotating the engine through a full cycle (720 degrees).

You may have to pull the intake to see for sure. Not a big seal, since you can do it without even draining the coolant on a BB mopar.

Cam Failure is an EPIDEMIC these days.

Hope it works out for you

[unclemike]

Cam failure or tappet failure wiping out the cam lobe? Anyway you do get what you pay for. If you save a few bucks by going to an overseas manufacturer, beware.

[peg leg]

Yes, and it's because our current oil supply is not like it used to be. EPA forced the removal of "harmfull" metals. You absolutely must use a good oil supplement in your oils, unless you use synthetics. Good ones are BG and Gm EOS. Good synthetics are Royal Purple and Amsoil (no additives needed).
Ron