[AMC-List] new cam in the Gremlin

[Michael Bailey <route66rambler@xxxxxxxxx>]

Just got my 74 Gremlin up and running on Monday after
the weekend thrash on the cam.  Service limit on the
timing chain is 1/4" deflection.  It was closer to an
inch. It was hard to measure, due to the deeply
imprinted chain marks in the timing gears.  All twelve
lifters were worn concave. Pushrods and rocker arms
showed very little wear, except one rocker arm. The
bores still had a crosshatch from a rebore, and
measurement showed .020 oversize. The presence of the
honing marks and surprisingly great shape of the motor
lead me to believe it was rebuilt within the last
5,000 miles. About a year, maybe two before I got the
car a year ago.  I believe they re-used the cam,
lifters, and timing set. Extremely uneven wear on the
cam lobes tells me that they did not order their
components on removal. To wear out so prematurely
would also imply that assembly lube was not used
either. Fortunately the cam bearings were left alone
and looked and measured perfect. They should show
basically no wear at all since the cam actually rides
on oil, not the bearing.  After it was back together,
I noticed on re-assembling the head that one of the
rocker arm bolts was too long. I have a junk motor
right now, and took a bolt from there, along with the
rocker arm and its bearing, as both were great.
Replaced the water pump, since it's summer in the
desert, and not doing it is like tempting fate. Now
the car is smooth, silent, and powerful. Traffic is a
whole nother story now. Yes, I've been flogging Molly.
And Molly likes it.
mike



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