Hi car freaks, it's late April, the sun is shining, muscle cars are rolling out of garages and 300 miles after a fresh oil change, the engine wipes out it's camshaft. Uh OH... now what? Well don't blame your camshaft manufacturer. There's a real world reason why your lobes went away. Oil manufacturers have been removing the zinc content in oil to absurdly low parts per million levels. The reason for that is the new clean air laws for diesel trucks requiring even those engines must have catalytic converters before the decade ends. Most passenger cars have been using roller camshafts the last ten years at least. They don't need the zinc protection flat tappet cams do. Basically if you drive a classic sports car, muscle car or 50's era land yacht, you need to replace the zinc additive that has been removed from your oil. It doesn't matter what brand oil you use, all the conventional based oils have reduced the zinc to very low levels. Use an additive such as Competition Cams or GM's EOS additive. While we're on that topic, you may as well know GM is discontinuing that additive as well. The part number is dead in USA and Canada is placing the EOS on the discontinued list very soon. Supplies are still good at press time but word is the product WILL dissapear. A good friend of mine has built up a nice big block in his 1969 Beaumont last year. It has 350 miles on it. The camshaft has failed, wiped lobes with pitting, the whole 9 yards.He used good oil but the zinc is missing and with a high performance camshaft with high pressure springs, it couldn't protect it. It is happening and you will have to deal with it. Make sure you add the zinc protection when you do the oil change.Ri-Un Racing In Georgetown has the proper additive for sale. Pick up some next time you're in town.
