DET broken exhaust cam

[mewannadorifto]

long version: Hey guys, this is my first time posting in the CA18 forum. I actually have a request for advice..... I have the opportunity to get a CA18DET with transmission already wired with ECU basically the whole swap, problem is the exhaust cam broke and the previous owner had it towed to a shop where they told him his cam had broke he ended up selling it to them they sold it to my friends for parts my friends used the piping and FMIC and the blitz dd bov.....

short version: I have a chance to buy a full CA18det motor swap with transmission ecu and wiring harness for $400 problem is one of the cams broke..... question is, if this is a good deal? what should I look for when I take off the valve cover?my plan is to change the valves if any of them are bent replace the springs replace the cam and both cam gears do the timing replace the water pump belts and clutch..... what I dont wanna do is have to replace the head or any pistons what should I look for?

I'm in no rush to get this done was expecting to have it in by summertime

sorry bout the long post guys

[float_6969]

I've never heard of a CA breaking the cam. Sounds like it's had an oiling problem. I would be wary if I were you. If the cam journals are bad you'll have to get another head.

If you want a CA, spend the money and get a good one. You'll regret trying to piece something together.

[mewannadorifto]

yeh, thanks for the advice..... why wouldn't a CA normally break a cam?

[progman]

Because they don't do that. I've never heard of that happening to anyone before. Float is just saying that if that motor broke a cam something may be wrong with it other than the broken cam.

[mewannadorifto]

ooo.... that's wat I thought I hadn't heard of it either, I knew it happened tho. I've seen stuff online of people that have broke cams but I always wondered what could cause it because I know it's not normal for it to happen

[themadscientist]

Well what broke? The little drive tip for the CAS or is the cam actually snapped in half?

I saw a CA cam break. The dumbass behind the wrench tried to torque the cam towers down with on of the lobes aiming down.

[mewannadorifto]

haven't had a chance to actually look at it internally just looked it over externally, guy that had it didn't know much about it drove it for about 6 months until something in the engine broke, then towed it to a shop and they told him one of the cams broke so he just ended up selling it to them because he didn't wanna fix it I doubt the whole cam would just snap in half after 6 months of driving..... only real way to know would be to actually open it up and see my friends are willing to help me open it up and look at it before I buy it but I was wondering what to look for when we do open it up and look at it

[progman]

Just take off the cam covers. there is like 8 screws for each and see what on the cam is broken. if it's just the CAS interface then that's an easy fix. If the cam is broken in half or something.. i would stay away.

[boost_boy]

haven't had a chance to actually look at it internally just looked it over externally, guy that had it didn't know much about it drove it for about 6 months until something in the engine broke, then towed it to a shop and they told him one of the cams broke so he just ended up selling it to them because he didn't wanna fix it I doubt the whole cam would just snap in half after 6 months of driving..... only real way to know would be to actually open it up and see my friends are willing to help me open it up and look at it before I buy it but I was wondering what to look for when we do open it up and look at it

I bet you the previous owner messed-up some pistons, not a camshaft. If you don'tknow what you're doing, stay away from it. If you want a ca18 engine, buy one that's working and that have some type of warranty on it.

Dee

[mewannadorifto]

I bet you the previous owner messed-up some pistons, not a camshaft. If you don'tknow what you're doing, stay away from it. If you want a ca18 engine, buy one that's working and that have some type of warranty on it.

Dee

Me the previous owner? nah I haven't had the chance to own a turbo 240 yet, I've passed up getting an SR because I've always hated how some kids think they know it all when it comes to those engines.... I've always wanted an RB or a CA I've had a sentra SE-R til my transmission broke which I hear is common with them.... I do think I'll wait for a good motor set. I'll just work on my suspension set up for now

[float_6969]

VERY smart! I wish more people would do this (myself included!)