797 Performance offers a wide range of cam kits for Gen 3 Hemi applications, and we appreciate that you want to shop with us. However, if you have cam & lifter failure, often associated with Hemi lifter tick or knock, it is imperative that you know the severity of the issue before purchasing a cam kit from us.
Every so often a customer will order a cam kit on their own and will report back after installation to report that they are expecting a tick, or low oil pressure. While we appreciate you being proactive and having all the parts ready to do the job, it is very important to know how severe the lifter failure is. As much as we would love to sell you a choppy performance cam kit, we also want you to have a positive experience.
CAM FAILURE CAUSED BY A FAILED LIFTER:
The camshaft above has a significant wear pattern caused by a failed lifter. This is an extreme example, but if you look at the cam you have to ask yourself:
Where did that metal go? and "Is my bottom end healthy?"
There are easy-to-inspect areas that may indicate that the failure is too bad, and you may need a rebuild / or replacement of the short block not just replace the cam and lifters. The issue is that this metal travels through the entire oiling systems and clogs the oil feed passages to engine bearings, lifters, ETC. When you install new lifters into a motor with clogged oiling passages the lifters run dry and fail. Sometimes this is confused with a bad part, when it is actually a larger issue.
Valve covers – Please remove the valve cover and inspect for metal shaving or what appears to be glitter. If there is metal here, please remove the cam and lifter prior to ordering parts to determine how severe the cam failure is. Also check the oil control valves listed below.
CAM / LIFTER MATERIAL FOUND UNDER THE VALVE COVER:
VVT Oil Control Valve – The VVT oil control valve has a screen on it for catching small dirt particles, it can also catch metal circulating in the lifter oiling system. Remove the intake manifold or blower and remove the oil control valve. If you find more than a minuscule amount of metal here it is advised to replace or rebuild the bottom end. It is almost guaranteed if you replace the cam and lifters on an engine with metal found here that you will experience a lifter failure due to under-oiling.
VVT SOLENOID LOCATED AT THE FRONT OF THE MOTOR UNDER THE INTAKE MANIFOLD:
METAL FOUND ON THE VVT SOLENOID INLET OIL SCREEN:
It is advised to speak to a professional engine re-builder if you have found a severely worn cam with metal shaving throughout the engine. 797 Performance will not be able to tell you if the bottom end is okay to reuse.