We promised a photograph of the camshaft upon its successful removal from the engine; we just had time to extract it and present to you exhibit A!
A few weeks ago, we chronicled an interesting engine issue we faced regarding a 948 engine which quit running and left the owner on the side of the road (you can read more about that with the original article, found by clicking here). We were able to diagnose the issue as a broken camshaft, something we have not seen previously.
Click “read more” for more pictures and watch the short video below showcasing our diagnostics:
If the camshaft breaks in half as shown, the distributor cannot turn (it runs off of the gear you see in the left of the photo) AND the oil pump stops working (it runs off of a slot or pin in the back of the cam). So not only do you lose your ignition, but you also lose your oil pressure.
Fortunately, the way a Bugeye camshaft is held in place prevents a broken one from causing additional damage inside the engine. The lock plate retains the front of the cam and the oil pump holds it in from the back. This, coupled with the fact that the engine immediately stops running after the camshaft breaks, means this engine was spared from critical additional damage. But a complete rebuild is required nonetheless, to replace cam bearings and to ensure no metal pieces have been ingested.
Should you decide to change or upgrade your camshaft, you will need the following parts to ensure the proper fit and also get the most out of your project! Click the photos below to learn more or click here to view our full parts catalog!
