[Healeys] tappets - the pits :-(

[Michael Oritt]

John--

I don't remember if you said what kind of oil you are using but the issue of
wear to cam lobes and tappets and zinc/phosphorus levels seems to be pretty
real.  I'd suggest using an oil additive such as ZDDPlus in addition to a
premium oil with known high levels of these two elements.  Also use an
appropriate assembly lube when putting things together.

Best--Michael Oritt

On Wed, Oct 26, 2011 at 7:13 AM, Chris Dimmock <austin.healey at gmail.com>wrote:

> Hey John,
> The area between the tappet and camshaft, and the oil pump drive
> spindle gear and the driving gear on a Healey cam, are the least
> lubricated, and therefore highest wearing, areas of a C Series engine
> - easpecially in a car that is revved. Like an Austin Healey. The wear
> doesn't show as quickly on a Wolsley 6/110 - or a car where 4,000 rpm
> is the exception, not the norm.
> They are also the least lubricated areas on a BMC A series engine. And
> a BMC B series engine. When they are revved. Like a Spridget or an MGB.
> I'd call that a fundamental design fault.
> That's another discussion.....
> But today, I'd look at your oil, and run in procedure.
> The design for getting lubrication to these major components is
> practically non existant. It's either "drip and hope" or "splash and
> hope"
> At 1,000 miles, the wear you are describing is a lubrication issue.
> Not enough lube of the correct type at startup most likely.
> That's my answer. The cause was Insufficent lubrication, of the
> correct type, following a corrct process, at initial startup. 2nd best
> guess? Incorrect hardening 10 years ago.
> These days, I'd never reface a cam follower. Steel quality today, and
> hardening techiques, are far better & cheaper than they were 50 years
> ago. New followers, hardened with current processes.
> I use Dennis Welch followers. No financial interest. These days,
> Jeremy Welch won't sell you a billet cam without the cam followers and
> appropriate lube. Dennis told me it dramatically reduced warranty cost.
> Me? I'd replace them, and get some serious reassemly lube.
> Best
> Chris
> www.myaustinhealey.com
> Sent from my iPhone
>
> On 26/10/2011, at 4:26 PM, john spaur <jmsdarch at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>
> > Are tappet pits okay? This is really embarrassing!
> >
> > I just sent my rocker arm and tappets to a well known re-builder.
> > Several tappets had what I thought was extensive pitting. This
> > occurred after 1000 miles or so since resurfacing them. However, the
> > engine was not run since 2003 due to other issues. BTW, there was no
> > rust on them, just a well coated oil surface after eight years of
> > benign neglect!
> >
> > The re-builder told me that the pitting was minor and typical;
> > meaning that it might reoccur after another resurfacing.
> >
> > What causes tappet pitting? The cam looks fine. Could it be that the
> > tappets, are not rotating in their bores?
> >
> > I want to solve this problem!
> >
> > Help!!
> >
> > John Spaur
> > '62 BT7
> > ______________________________
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