Here is my origional thread. https://honda-tech.com/zerothread?id=2304195

I finally got around to taking the cams out and checking out the rockers, ect.. On the exhaust side, my rocker pads are showing pitting where the cams come into contact with them. I also noticed that the exhaust cam has flat spots where it comes in contact with the rockers. Vtec lobes only. I also noticed that lobe number 3 does not have a flat spot or pitting in the pads of the rockers, it is showing wear, nothing like the others.

This has happened before with this head/oil line set-up. I replaced the exhaust cam and rockers. It happened along with some piston to wall clearance at the time that ruined my block also. The car was making ~300-325whp then(still down on power then).

I currently have my -6 feed for the head and my -3 feed for the turbo off the same GE oil sandwitch plate. My plan is to move the -3 to the oem sensor spot, and the sensor to the old feed spot on the GE piece. I will replace the cams and rockers also. Then i will test the oil pressure at the front port on the head.

Here are some pics.




Any other ideas?

Other info:
OEM Cams/Gears
Portflow Valvesprings/retainers
15w40 Rotella oil
now castrol 10-30


If anyone can help me get to the bottom of this, i'll paypal them 100$




Modified by OMG B16 at 11:53 AM 6/5/2008

 

You know, to me it seems like an under oiling issue. How'd the cam's and rockers look when you first pulled the valvecover? Also have you tried switching oils? I stick to mobil 1 myself.

On that same note, I would think despite what you concluded about vtec in the other thread, I dont think its engaging; which could be true if your having an oil pressure issue.

I'd say measuring your pressure at the front of the head sounds like a good starting point.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Unsivil_audio &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">You know, to me it seems like an under oiling issue. How'd the cam's and rockers look when you first pulled the valvecover? Also have you tried switching oils? I stick to mobil 1 myself.

On that same note, I would think despite what you concluded about vtec in the other thread, I dont think its engaging; which could be true if your having an oil pressure issue.

I'd say measuring your pressure at the front of the head sounds like a good starting point.</TD></TR></TABLE>
When i put the head together, there was no wear on the vtec rockers. If it wasnt hitting vtec, there would be no wear on the middle rocker pads and cams. Maybe #3(the one that looks ok) is not hitting vtec. Then it could be something with the rockers/oil pressure.

 

Heres an obvious question: whats your valve lash set to? When did you last check it? I know you said its just the vtec lobe but the left non vtec rocker looks worn too. Inspect the LMA under that vtec rocker.

also which cyl # is this one on?


Modified by Muckman at 12:19 AM 6/5/2008

 

FYI - You can't check oil pressure on the front of the head unless vtec is engaged. It wont have oil pressure otherwise.

 

why 15-40? that stuff takes a long time to get to the head when the engine is first started...

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by JDogg &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">why 15-40? that stuff takes a long time to get to the head when the engine is first started...</TD></TR></TABLE>

x2 i was going to ask the same thing, why not try switch to 10w-30 or something else?

 

you also have a bunch of glazing on on the bearing part where the cam caps go. There is a serious lack of oiling going on. I never ran 15w-40 in my setup ever and my '89 cams look like new. I ran 10w-40 during the dog days of summer, but all the rest of the time I was using 10w-30 and all pennzoil dino juice.

Do the LS/VTEC setups usually have oiling issues because of the sandwich plates and or other means of tapping into the copper plug on the back of the head?

Hope you get it solved soon.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Blind-Fashion &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

FYI - You can't check oil pressure on the front of the head unless vtec is engaged. It wont have oil pressure otherwise.</TD></TR></TABLE>
I know that, i am going to hook a gauge up on it and drive around.

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Muckman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Heres an obvious question: whats your valve lash set to? When did you last check it? I know you said its just the vtec lobe but the left non vtec rocker looks worn too. Inspect the LMA under that vtec rocker.

also which cyl # is this one on? </TD></TR></TABLE>

Valve lash was set 1000 miles ago when i built the motor. It is set for b16 specs. The LMA's are fine, they dont stick or anything. I believe that was cyl # 2.

As far as the oil goes, i only used the 15-40 on the first motor. I used the 30w for startup, then changed to some cheap 10-30 for the first 100 miles, then the 15-40. On this rebuilt, i used 30W for startup again, then i have only used 10-30 castrol so far. No 15-40 has been in this motor, sorry about the mixup.



Modified by OMG B16 at 11:56 AM 6/5/2008

 

when you plugged the oil port in the head for the ls/vtec conversion, did you plug the right hole???

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by bigdaddyradde &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">when you plugged the oil port in the head for the ls/vtec conversion, did you plug the right hole???</TD></TR></TABLE>
Yes. I would think the HG would blow if i didnt plug the correct one.

 

the only thing I could think of is the where u tapped the head for a oil feed, is there a problem there, is it tapped correctly and not clogged, just a thought

 

I personally think his head would be trashed already if there was inadequate oiling. If its bad enough that its wearing spots, the cam journals and cam bearings would be toast already.