How the hell

[phunkynova]

How the hell can this happen ?!:eek: What could caused the can to snap like this ?!

The engine has just be rebuilt and had be running about 15 to 20 mins and was on axle stands with a engine rpm of around 2000, the engine was a bit load but not excessive.
Oil and water both fine.
Camshaft is only 200 miles old.



http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/phunkferret/20150926_160331_zpsprgkyift.jpg

????????.

[Southie]

What make was it? Any warranty on a cam failure??

[meritlover]

need to check the valve hasn't bottomed out on the piston and sheared the cam

[meritlover]

..or the springs have bound up. lots to check

[phunkynova]

What make was it? Any warranty on a cam failure??

Piper cam

[Southie]

This might be worth a read:
http://www.enginebuildermag.com/2013/02/top-reasons-and-causes-for-camshaft-failure/

In that thread
Broken cam. A broken cam is usually caused by the cam being hit by a connecting rod, or other rotating parts of the engine coming loose and hitting the cam. When this happens, the cam will usually break in more than two-pieces. Sometimes the cam will break in two pieces after a short time of use because of a crack or fracture in the cam due to rough handling during shipping, or some time before installation. If a cam becomes cracked or fractured due to rough handling, it will generally not be straight.Most people will not have any means of checking cam straightness. As a general rule, if you can install the cam in the engine and install the timing gear, the cam should turn freely with just your finger pressure. There should not be any drag or resistance in turning the cam. This free turning of the cam is assuming that if new cam bearings were installed, they were the correct parts and they were installed correctly.
When removing a used cam that may be worn, you may have difficulty turning or removing it. This may not mean that the cam is cracked or fractured. The heat generated at the cam during the failure of the cam lobe, and/or lifter, will distort the cam and cause it not to be straight any more.

[mowgli]

Was the cam in the engine that put a rod out the side?

[phunkynova]

Yes it was mowgli !!
Had that could be the start of the failure.

[phunkynova]

So the damage is:

1 inlet snapped off, 1 inlet bent, 2 bent exhaust and some head damage


http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/phunkferret/20150927_111454_zpsrf8ijrqj.jpg


http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/phunkferret/20150927_111505_zpsya9umind.jpg

http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/phunkferret/20150927_111515_zps7zob3pi4.jpg

Is this damage to the head too much or can it be fixed,
If it can be fixed can I do it or must it go to a machine shop ?.


http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/phunkferret/20150927_111527_zpsojcofbdq.jpg

[Southie]

It could have put a hairline crack in your cam without you knowing, I doubt you'll have checked over with it being in one piece still.

What else has been damaged besides the follower?

[phunkynova]

Southie all cam followers are fine and in good condition damage is as above plus some light marking on some of the piston tops

[mowgli]

Phunkynova, I read in a book on cosworth engines about the phenomenal strains put on camshafts at various points in the 4 stroke cycle. They are pretty much at their safe limit during hard revving. A sudden stop like a rod letting go would easily be enough to cause that failure.

[Andy]

That head needs welding as the damage is on the seats

[meritlover]

Was it in 3 pieces when you installed it?

[mowgli]

I think the engine is totally tattered.

[totalnova]

If it was me I would be starting again with a new engine.

[meritlover]

If it was me I would be starting again with a new engine.
Why?

[tom reid]

Graham, the head is saveable but will need a fair bit of inspection, the cam has broken due to the valve to piston contact, as I suspect also happened to your old cam.
When the head was originally done all the factors of the engine you had were installed in the head/ cambox mods, you will need a minimum of guide work, tosuit the new valves, seats recut and angled, piston cut outs.
The head will not need welding, if the damage is all in the pics posted.

[gitters27]

What cam are you running,this worries me because I want to run a 285 cam in my C16SE build and I've been thinking I could have this problem????

[totalnova]

Why?

I wouldn't be able to drive it again without wondering if something else inside the engine is going to let go and it would take away any enjoyment.

[phunkynova]

What cam are you running,this worries me because I want to run a 285 cam in my C16SE build and I've been thinking I could have this problem????

The Cam was a Piper 300 but it was not the type of cam which was the problem......It all started on my last rally when a standard con rod bolt broke on piston 1 which must have put some hair line cracks in the camshaft that I had not seen and then after putting the motor back together the cracks in the camshaft just got bigger and then bang.

[phunkynova]

And now to the pistons:
1, 2 and 3, and last 4


http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/phunkferret/20150928_143935_zps0alhn8yo.jpg


http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/phunkferret/20150928_144050_zpstvu9nzfk.jpg


http://i995.photobucket.com/albums/af71/phunkferret/20150928_144146_zps7cs01qaa.jpg

:(

[pete17]

if I was you id, option 1. keep the block, new pistons as the damage to them will eventually cause hot spots and may burn them out, then complete new top end.
or option 2. up grade the engine to a better package and re build a completely fresh motor with more bhp.

or like what I did after wreaking my stock car after spending a fortune on it, sell up and take up drinking beer again!!!!lol

[meritlover]

Measure everything, inspect, rebuild.