Reason for badly worn camshaft lobes and shaft removal?

[Kjeles]

I discovered today that the camshaft lobes of my 2.0 L SOHC 1987 pinto engine were badly worn. All of them. They had deep grooves of maybe around 0.5 mm (see photo). The engine has only gone 160 000 km.

Have any of you experienced the same? It looks like a lubrication problem. I will replace the oil supply tube (in addition to the camshaft and the followers, of course), but I don't know if the tube is the reason for the problem. Any suggestions for wear diagnosis?

Another question: Under the heading "Camshaft – removal" Haynes writes as the first step: "1. Remove the cylinder head as described in Section 11". Is this a misprint? Should it read "Remove the valve cover"? I don't see the need to remove the cylinder head to remove the camshaft. Am I missing something here?

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[V184]

The camshaft only comes out the rear of the head

[Kjeles]

Thanks. I just assumed the cam came forward. What a pain having to take the head off.

[dumper]

When you fit new camshaft fit a new spray bar usually cam goes because of lack of regular oil and filter change if you don’t want to remove the head and have access to lifting gear remove engine I used to take the gearbox and engine as one.
When you fit the cam you need to fit new followers but you need to use a camshaft lubricant and coat it so not dry on first start up or if not STP but we always used EP 90 gear oil

[vanfox]

Last time I did a pinto camshaft I took the engine/box out, a lot easier than lifting the head.
Alternatively, my garage suggested taking the heater out and cutting a hole in the bulkhead.....think they were joking.
My camshaft came in a kit including a new spray bar etc.
You'll be surprised how quiet the engine sounds.
My garage had a tool to replace the valve stem oil seals as well.

[dumper]

Last time I did a pinto camshaft I took the engine/box out, a lot easier than lifting the head.
Alternatively, my garage suggested taking the heater out and cutting a hole in the bulkhead.....think they were joking.
My camshaft came in a kit including a new spray bar etc.
You'll be surprised how quiet the engine sounds.
My garage had a tool to replace the valve stem oil seals as well.

They were not joking it has been done

[Jim Archer]

Don't worry about cam lube goo - it clogs the pores in the lobes. Better to leave the rocker cover off and plugs out, and crank it til the oil comes up and can be seen to be coming out of everywhere it should.

Button it up leaving the plugs out, then when you come to fire it up, crank it over til the oil light goes out, then give it a couple of 10sec cranks. Plugs in, then when it fires, see it doesn't drop under 2K rpm for about 10-15mins, this will take the load off the cam lobe nose, keep the oil film, and stop the nose and rocker face from glazing, which is where most future cam wear will start.

Jim

[ernie b]

Worn cam lobes was a common problem on the pintos
Blocked spray bar was the usual cause but with your milage it wouldn't be uncommon to be time for a new cam depending on it's history
I've certainly seen and driven much worse.
My last SOHC Capri used to have the spray bar removed and cleaned once a year