i have kelford cams in my heads and it takes about 10-12ft-lbs to turn them? i plastigauged them and they were all within the factory spec (on the tight side but within factory spec)

has anyone else experienced this before?

all bucket clearances are right on where i want them. and this is tight even without the valve springs being compressed.

i don't want to run it like this with the chance of throwing off the timing belt.

i will be going to a local machine shop this weekend to see if the cams are bent or whatever but i was trying to see if anyone else had this problem?

thanks

hmmm... let us know how this goes. I noticed my Kelfords looked rather "raw" on the lobes when compared to the factory cams... perhaps its just not lubed properly yet and maybe will spin better under oil pressure?

def

What did you torque the cam caps down to? 82inch pound is max; you might have over torque them.
If not, after you have turned the cams a few times remove the caps and look to see what type of mark it left. I’ll use scotch pad to lightly buff the area, reinstall and check. You need to take time and patients. The cams have to turn by hand.

i have run these cams in this motor before. they turned by hand. there was an oil pressure problem then the motor came out. it seems that the cam bearing journal has gotten smaller? bringing them by the machine shop tomorrow to see about honing. they look fine but maybe the hole is out of round or warped? there is still clearance just not enough