what can I do to fix this

Tinbender59 · #1 (**permalink**) 09-02-2010, 08:41 PM

Hi I have a 327TPI in my pickup, with 12-262-4 cam, stock heads, Keith Black pistons, compression is not determined yet SB 12.1:1 but the compression test says 175# ??? any way, I have absolutly no bottom end, no vacume at idle, and a sorry idle at that, the engine builder recomended this cam, but??? the truck is a 1997 K1500. I was wondering about the 4 - 7 swap cams - what is their big gain? I am wanting low to mid torque and good millage the motor will never see over 5500r's unless it is stuck LOL . so looking at maybe advancing the cam aditional 4 deg, or putting in a 12-235-2 or a 12-231-2, didn't want to spend a bunch more $$$$ so what is your advice, someone suggested the 235-2 with 112LSA and 5deg of advance, what would be the gain over the standard grind?

iwannagofaster · #2 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 01:52 PM

You could possibly have a chip burned to make that cam work, or step down to the 12-256-4. I really hope it is not 12:1, as you would need a stand alone computer to even get close to anything that will work with that. Anything over 10.5:1 would have trouble with any cam that will work with a stock computer. You definitely don't want to go to either of those cams you mentioned, as they will fight with the computer and the compter will win...every time. The lowest lobe speration you can use with EFI will be 112, that would be the "gain" over the standard grind.

Tinbender59 · #3 (**permalink**) 09-03-2010, 06:22 PM

the ECM has been"Tuned" By Westers in Cannada for the cam, I am guessing that I have the timing chain installed wrong, will be looking into that this weekend. I am just at a loss on this????

iwannagofaster · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2010, 02:51 PM

That is a possibility, but I am still concerned about the compression ratio. If it is a true 12:1, you will have issues with this thing until you put a carb (or XFI) on it and put a big nasty cam in it. At 12:1, you really need a minimum of 250 degrees at .050" just to keep it from falling on its face. I would like to see you do a compression test and at least get an idea of where you stand there after you check the timing chain. Keep digging and let me know.

Tinbender59 · #5 (**permalink**) 09-09-2010, 12:03 AM

the compression came in at 175# with the current problem. rechecked Kieth Black web site, this is my piston "KB158 Chevy 327 5.7 13cc D-Cup " according to them with 58 cc heads I am at 9.6:1 so that gells with the compression, now i need to contact the programmer, but I think that I told him 9:1 The next question : the lifters are not compleetly set yet, (a little noisy) could the knock sensor be going crazzy because of this? If I can ever get time to get back to it, I will set them first and see what happens.

iwannagofaster · #6 (**permalink**) 09-09-2010, 12:36 PM

That sounds like that could be the whole problem. I would definitely believe that the knock sensor would make it act like a total fool like that.

Tinbender59 · #7 (**permalink**) 09-09-2010, 06:50 PM

ok today I managed to get to it, disconnected the knock sensor, started it up an bam it had a "relitively" smooth idle. the rest I attributed to the cam. so I went in with the Knock sensor disconnected (so it would stay running) and reset the lifters, somewhere between 1/2 to 3/4 past "quiet". still a little noisy, so where should they be set? or do I have a different problem? oil pressure is a solid 40psi It does runn better now!! and slightly better launch, but with a hesitation.

iwannagofaster · #8 (**permalink**) 09-10-2010, 12:12 PM

I don't recommend setting them while running, so I dont know where to tell you to go there. They are supposed to be set at 1/2-3/4 turn past zero lash. I don't know where the hesitation is coming from, but you may need to talk to your tuner about tuning the knock sensor out of the equation. Those cam grinds are aggresive and make the lfters rather noisy, so that may just be the way it is. You could have a lifter issue, but normally a lifter issue will only make noise on one or two cylinders. It is extremely rare that you see a complete set of lifters be bad.

Tinbender59 · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-2010, 08:41 PM

well if I could upload an EXCEL file, I would show you my last data log, basickly at 2krpm I have 3 pounds of vacume, is that from the cam? or do I have something else wrong? I keep thinking that this cam is not the right one for me but everybody keeps dancing arround my Questions. maybe a differant MFG could help me out?

amick · #10 (**permalink**) 09-13-2010, 02:20 PM

If you are making 3lbs of vacuum with that camshaft on a 9.6:1 engine then there is something very wrong somewhere else, as that camshaft should make more in the 15+ inches range. That To answer your question about using that camshaft it is just as stated above, it will work with your combo but it does require tuning to work with that computer. It is up to your tuner to tell you if they are capable of tuning in a certain camshaft spec though I do not see any real issue with this cam in this application. The knock sensor sounds like that was a big part of your issue and whatever is causing your low vacuum issue may be responsible for your hesitation. We generally recommend putting a 1/2-3/4 turn on our lifters but you could go as much as a full turn if needed. No more than that. I am not sure where you are coming from when you say our tech was dancing around your questions? After reading all this, the only thing I see is that he was trying to help you sort out problems with your build that probably do not even pertain to our parts. If you have a specific question that has not been addressed then please advise me and I will do my best to answer it for you.