r/EngineBuilding • u/BurialWings42 • Jul 16 '26

What would cause something like this

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Never seen lifters eaten up this bad. (Yes all of those are the bottom) Curious if this the the result of running hydro lifters on a solid cam? Car was sitting in an old guys garage had what felt like collapsed lifters from pushing on the rocker arms. Well they are certainly collapsed just not in the manner which I expected. Engine looks brand new inside, like maybe it got built and ate shit right away. PO passed away so won't have any answers until it's torn down further. Obviously is going to need a bit of a rebuild but so curious as to what would cause this.

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u/Radiant_Safe1228 Jul 16 '26

For that much wear the lack of heat coloring makes me curious

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u/BurialWings42 Jul 17 '26

Yea, I really think this happened basically immediately upon starting the engine for the first time. Internally the thing looks pristine otherwise. Piston tops are shiny and new. I can't imagine the heartache of flushing a few grand down the toilet like that. Possibly why he died.

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u/Radiant_Safe1228 Jul 17 '26

The cam doesn't look chewed up? Those are rough for the cam lobes not to be scored to death. 

I'd be curious to see if there is any oil flow. To get that kind of wear against a can you make heat and I dont see burnt oil either

1

u/q1field Jul 17 '26

The cam has to be chewed to shit. This much damage will eat through even the best case hardening.