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scrap--metal

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Was this cam ever broken in? Not running or running at 3K will not allow for proper break in on a new cam.

I don't recall reading any cam specs, just that it was a brand new engine. Maybe a crate short block was used and the cam was already broken in (is that a thing)? Maybe the OP is using a roller cam?

Whether the cam was properly broken in or not, I'd suggest pulling the lifters and looking at the cam lobes just to make sure nothing bad has happened to them. Now's the time to do it with the intake manifold off.

I had a friend who toasted a hydraulic flat tappet cam in a new engine because he couldn't get it to run right upon initial start up. Too much messing around before the break in procedure.
 

NastyRay

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As I posted in my off topic area, I started and ran the Buick 455 in the 67 Riviera I bought a while back with an entire bank of spark plug wires disconnected. It sounded a little sluggish and quiet at the time, but it popped right off and ran smooth with only the drivers side bank firing. A properly assembled and healthy long block will run(albeit poorly) with a whole lot of stuff wrong with it.
Ain’t that the truth! Lol I’m glad I’m not the only one making silly mistakes
 

Bextreme04

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Was this cam ever broken in? Not running or running at 3K will not allow for proper break in on a new cam.

I don't recall reading any cam specs, just that it was a brand new engine. Maybe a crate short block was used and the cam was already broken in (is that a thing)? Maybe the OP is using a roller cam?

Whether the cam was properly broken in or not, I'd suggest pulling the lifters and looking at the cam lobes just to make sure nothing bad has happened to them. Now's the time to do it with the intake manifold off.

I had a friend who toasted a hydraulic flat tappet cam in a new engine because he couldn't get it to run right upon initial start up. Too much messing around before the break in procedure.
That's a good point. If this was initial break-in on a flat tappet cam, it could have wiped a lobe by not getting it up in the 2-2.5k rpm range right off the bat. @NastyRay now is the time to do a cam and lifter inspection while the intake is off. You probably can see almost all of them without even removing anything else. You'll want to look for metal on metal wear on the cam lobes, if they look like dull metal scrapings on the lobe, you have a wiped lifter and cam lobe. If it is just shiny where the black oxide coating has worn off, you should be good to go.
 

scrap--metal

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These are what worn cam lobes look like. Notice the inconsistent wear on the surface. The lobe in the second picture is worn from edge to edge. This is what you do NOT want to see.

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scrap--metal

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Here's a picture of the lifter that raised the concern on the cam above. Notice how it's worn/discolored. It was no longer a convex shape to the surface either. More flat or concave. Another example of what you do NOT want to see.

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NastyRay

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Here's a picture of the lifter that raised the concern on the cam above. Notice how it's worn/discolored. It was no longer a convex shape to the surface either. More flat or concave. Another example of what you do NOT want to see.

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Thank you for the pictures! While the intake was off I looked and they seemed to be fine nothing too alarming. I got a new intake and sealed all up and I finally got it running right and timed. It’s sounding great! I’m really excited and appreciate everyone who helped me get it done thanks y’all! Wish I could post a video
 

NastyRay

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Thank you for the pictures! While the intake was off I looked and they seemed to be fine nothing too alarming. I got a new intake and sealed all up and I finally got it running right and timed. It’s sounding great! I’m really excited and appreciate everyone who helped me get it done thanks y’all! Wish I could post a video
If anyone has an email I’ll gladly send one
 

scrap--metal

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Thank you for the pictures! While the intake was off I looked and they seemed to be fine nothing too alarming. I got a new intake and sealed all up and I finally got it running right and timed. It’s sounding great! I’m really excited and appreciate everyone who helped me get it done thanks y’all! Wish I could post a video
Glad to hear it's up and running.
 

billgibbs222

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What oil are you running in this engine?

All flat tappet cams need a zinc additive present in the oil or it will only be a matter of time before a lifter / cam lobe will chew itself to death.

I use Valvoline VR1 in all my flat cam engines....
 

NastyRay

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Well guys just thought ide keep everyone posted I got the drivetrain done and the interior started and it’s all falling in place.
 

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NastyRay

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No I just made a bracket for the throttle cable and return spring
Is the throttle return spring actually hooked up in these pictures?
 

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Big Chip

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No I just made a bracket for the throttle cable and return spring
So you never had the return spring hooked up when you were starting it?
 

IdahoJOAT

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Just got done reading this whole thread. @NastyRay super stoked for you.

We might be getting my son his first pickup with a 454, so I was invested in your progress.

You can upload a video to YT, then allow only those with the link to view it for security/ privacy concerns. You could put the link here so we could all see.
 

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