Cam Weld Question

[Dubeckyj]

Hi All!

I'm going to look at a '97 SHO this weekend, with ~220k kilometers (~135k miles) on it. If it's still going strong at that mileage, is it safe to say the cams would've failed by now if they were going to? I'll still have them welded for assurance, but I'm wondering if they're already welded. The seller has no idea. It's one of those gave-to-someone-sold-to-someone-gave-to-someone deals. Would the welding be easily recognizable if I get a look at it (assuming I can see through the oil filler cap with a flashlight)?

 

[Enzo731]

Which neck of the woods?

 

[Dubeckyj]

The Ontario neck.

 

[Enzo731]

If there are no pictures of the cams before and after being welded, then it's safe to assume it hasn't been done, and usually for these types of jobs, the people paying for them keep their receipts, as it's quite a bit of change to get done. I'd be more worried about the maintenance on the trans than the cams.

 

[Dubeckyj]

If there are no pictures of the cams before and after being welded, then it's safe to assume it hasn't been done, and usually for these types of jobs, the people paying for them keep their receipts, as it's quite a bit of change to get done. I'd be more worried about the maintenance on the trans than the cams.

Apparently it's been rebuilt. The seller knows that much.

 

[Fordtaurussho]

mine had 160000 kilometers on it and they werent welded yet, i ripped it apart and got a welder to weld them for me, but yea there were no signs of cam slippage on mine, with 160 k so chances are that one isnt and is just lucky they havent gone

 

[Liquid_force]

Based on everything I've read there is no pattern or logic concerning cam failure.
That '97 may go another 135k km or it may fail the next time the key is turned.
There was never any association made regarding driving habits either.

I went through the same deliberation when I bought my '99 in Sept. It had 91.5k mi on it. From the start I was in denial about the cams, but the more I researched the more obvious I believed the right thing to do was weld them.

The cam ****'s are going to tell you they'll slip just as easy at 40k as they will at 180k, and I don't know of any valid reason to disagree with that. They all have the same design flaw. The more I've read the more I've given in to the theory that they all WILL fail, it's just a matter of when.

I did my own wrenching (cleaning, plug/coil replacement, harness insulation etc) and found a local welder who was willing to do the welds. Rented a dolly, took it by the shop. 2 hrs and $65 later it was back in my garage to be reassembled.
I've put 12k on it since then and it has done well.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

The cam ****'s are going to tell you they'll slip just as easy at 40k as they will at 180k, and I don't know of any valid reason to disagree with that. They all have the same design flaw. The more I've read the more I've given in to the theory that they all WILL fail, it's just a matter of when.

Cam nazis? Really?

You agree that the cams can slip at any mileage, but call the people who pass that valid information on to others cam ****'s?

That makes you what, a Kansan *********?

 

[Liquid_force]

LOL - Somehow I knew you'd be the first to comment on that JOKE.

I guess I'm one of 'em at this point.
I think it's a funny reference. Heard of the soup ****?

It was a jest, I believe most people would pick up on that.

*********?!
Dang it!
How'd you guess?!

 

[gmail]

actually i recall reading some cams failed it was something like 20k miles and less... ford did not cover them even after several long years of court trials.. it came down to it ford won and the guy was stuck with buying a new engine, court fees and what not

 

[Mr Anonymous]

There are at least 2 known cars that spun cams while brand new on the dealers lots. One with 9 miles on it, the other with 20-something.

The highest mileage car I have personally seen a car go before a cam failure is 221000 miles. So, anywhere between 9 miles and 221000 miles is the highest risk.

Now that the majority of the cars aren't worth a whole lot of money, it can be more of a financial decision. If you paid $800 for the car and plan to just drive it into the ground then you can probably not worry about it (but don't cry if it blows up a week later either). If you found a mint low mileage car and paid a decent price, then it makes far more sense. Or if it's your only car and you rely on it for transportation and can't live without it then it can be a good investment for peace of mind.

 

[Ishodu]

Is this car from the Hanover Area? Kind of sounds like the one the guy up the road has.

 

[Dubeckyj]

I think it's about 2-3 hours south of hanover. I was talking with my local mechanic about cam welding while they did the valve adjustment (no 100k yet), but now my tranny's grenaded. TCC solenoid check performance and shift solenoid C check performance codes, random loss of overdrive, and a recent loss of TC lockup.