So, I've given up on trying to build the engine for my truck, and am 'calling in the cavalry'.
I took the boxes of parts down, and my builder nixed my $100 Comp Cams timing set - he doesn't like the (iron or sintered steel?) crank gear. Says they tend to be a little loose on crank snouts and fret under use w/ medium/heavy valve spring loads.
Guy has been building engines for about twenty years, and his employee for about 25. Think they may have had more experience watching failure patterns than I have.
The cam in question is a CAST single-bolt billet Engle roller I bought from Cab Burge about a year ago, 262 @ .050; .630" (with my HS 1.6:1 rockers). Springs are Herbert
HERS637 doubles (200# seat; about 540# on the nose).
After spending a couple HOURS sanding burrs off the Comp cam gear (wish I'd saved that receipt!), just to have it 'nixed', I don't think I want to buy another Comp set.
Looking at the 440 Source (made in USA) set w/ the upgraded Rolon chain, and the Cloyes billet set shown at
Summit .
Okay moparts faithful, what are your thoughts?
-bill