Ive got a 383 that Ive screwed the cam up on by cranking it too much before I got it to start. Do you guys think I should tear it down or would I be ok just taking of the oil pan and cleaning it out.

 

First, I'm not certain what you mean: I think you are saying that after putting it together it would not start and so you cranked it for a long time with low oil pressure and wore the cam lobs? Surprisingly, oil does pump after a minute or two of cranking, not a lot but its usually the rockers and upper engine that suffer first: my point being I'd be sure that you have this problem and if you do I think you better check lifters and rockers, etc., very carefully, too.

If you have evidence that you actually worn down some lobs then, ideally, the whole engine has to come apart, you need to flush all the oil passages, etc., check all bearing surfaces, etc., and reassemble it with a new cam, etc. (and use lots and lots of assembly lube this time). That's a messy job, etc.

 

Ratmotor has some good break in tips at the top of the engine section. AsLee said if it ground the metal away it had to go somewhere. Was it a soild cam did you have alot of spring pressure, what oil were you using? I just pulled apart a 305 we were running last year we put a used cam and lifters in it 3 of the lifters already had grooves wore in them from not rotating.

 

It is very uncommon to wipe out a cam lobe just canking on the engine with the starter....if that is the case, then if it had started, chances are it would have wiped it out within seconds of starting the motor. there is a problem somewhere....

I'd would tear it down and check everything again....

G