Thread: Can a cam go bad after a lengthy storage

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I bought a 16,000 mile 1970 302 for my 65 custom 500 that sat since around 76,now that I have a exhaust on the car I hear a couple lifters making noises. I have been told that the cam needed to be broken in again and if no oil was put on the lobes the cam would wear now. My guess is the lifters that held the valves open for all those years are the ones making noise so I am wondering if I should run it for awhile and see if they pump up or could they be damaged from the long storage. Jeff

Maybe run it awhile, then change oil. Sounds like a couple of the lifters could be gunked up from setting so long????

Measure your lift on the cam. See if the cam is just bad. also the springs could have lost their spring. If you do replace your cam be sure to replace your lifters. old lifters on a new cam will wear the new cam down fast. Mabey when the other owner rebuilt it they reused the lifters.it could also be just a incorect adjustment. Also inspect for a bent push rod