Roller Cam Retrofit worthwhile ?

[axisg]

Spent a couple weeks getting the boat ready for the year ( ended up with a headswap on the AQ131 2.3 Volvo ). Now back to the Monte

Last night I got it all torn down.


With the intake, pushrods and lifters pulled I could see the adjustment was still pretty good ( prying the cam back and forth thru one of the lifter bores ) but I did see some flexing / movement in the cover ( this is with the nylon cam bushing ). When I pulled the cover and this is what it looked like ( the black & silver circle is where the nylon button was rubbing into the cam cover and chewed up the paint ). This is a heavy aftermarket timing cover BTW


Shot of the backside of the replacement cover ( its a Jegs unit same as the milodan mentioned above ). I have also switched to a thrust bearing ( you can see it installed in the engine pic above ). I spent about 20 mins going back and forth denting the cover to get the correct clearance ( it was appx 1/8" too shallow ). Kinda wishing now I would have spent the extra on the cover with the set screw ?!?!


I took about 3 hrs last night to tear it down, clean the gaskets surfaces, clearance the new cover, and put it back together again ( man are my back and calves sore from hanging over the fender !!!! ). As I left for work this morning I lined up the oil pump, put the distributor back in, and the wires back on. It sputtered but it wouldn't start. Maybe tonight if I can get to it before it rains I can get it running, set the timing and top off the fluids.

Supposed to rain for the next couple days ( no garage ) and it would be nice to take my wife to brunch in the old car for mothers day. Somehow I think we will be taking her car instead 🙂

 

[axisg]

Well its back together. I had the dist 180 deg out. Once I pulled it and stabbed it in the right way it was running in under 5 mins 🙂

Let it idle for about 20-30 mins in the driveway while I cleaned up my mess and to let the car warm up. Then I set the timing. I had it at 32 deg by ear ( not too bad I think ) so I re-set the timing at 35 deg which came all-in by 2500 rpms or so. That nets me 21 deg advance at idle with an 825 rpm curb idle. It stops fine and starts fine. No leaks that I can see so I take it for a drive to an industrial area about 10 mins from home ( and for a bath ).
Street manners are good until about 1800 rpms or so then it takes off, barking the tires into second with ease. When you stomp on it at cruise the secondaries kick in no prob now and it pulls well. No pinging so I think it could "take " more timing but I want to get some more miles on it before I start messing with advancing the timing or the springs for the curve.

Talking with friends about heading down to Toronto Motorsports Park in a couple weeks before its too hot/busy so it would be nice to make a run ( or 6 ). I would like to see how it runs now that I "think" I finally have this camshaft sorted out. I would like to have another "benchmark" time before I install the dual exhaust I have planned 🙂 🙂 🙂 Never ran it with the 305. It ran a 14.1 with the same motor w/ 268h cam, AC, full stereo system, and all the junk in the trunk LOL

 

[clean8485]

Nice work George. Looks like you've got this issue under control. I hope that the runs at TMP go well.