SHO with broken cam gear

[Wessy]

I have come across a 97 SHO with a broken cam gear. all the owner will say is "THE MOTOR HAS A BROKEN CAM GEAR MOTOR TURNS OVER BUT THE HEAD DOES NOT. " Does this mean I would have to purchase a new motor or can the cam gears be replaced easy enogh??? I know y'all must get this question a lot, but I tried to search for a thread that talked about it.

Thanks,
Wes

 

[AutoSHO]

Check out http://www.v8sho.com for more information on the cam problem.

Unfortunately, it requires extensive engine work (or replacement) to fix once the cam gears spin. The cam gears fail because of a design/manufacturing flaw. I would suggest reading up on the site above if you intend to take on the project!

 

[Wessy]

So can the work be done w/ out pulling the motor or are we talking replacing the pistons?

 

[AutoSHO]

The V-8 is an interference motor, so once one of the cam sprockets separates, valves hit pistons. Typically this means the cylinder walls will be scored and the motor will have to be replaced as a whole.

 

[Mr Anonymous]

In any cam failure V8, the failed head has to come out to replace the bent valves and inspect the pistons & bore for damage. Then the broken cam(s) have to be replaced, retimed, and the motor reassembled.

If it's a front head failure, you're looking at about a $1500 repair, if it's a rear head, about $2500 (the motor really has to come out of the car for a rear head failure). If the motor is completely trashed, you're looking at about $4-$5K for a motor swap.

I'm presuming you're looking at THIS car on eBay. IMHO, for what the repairs would cost you, there are several other V8 SHOs out there with good motors and less miles in the ~$4K (best case scenario) price range.

 

[SHOguy 92]

I knew the V8's had cam walking problems and I am about 90% sure that the V6's when the timing belt brakes valves aren't bent. But the v8 is based off a duratech engine so it's diffrent did they change that? The valves on v8's bend? What stops that from happening on a V6's SHO and why isn't this don't to all DOHC motors, it must be something that hurts performance or why would they not do it?

 

[Yamaha V6]

Interference vs. Non-Interference. Has nothing to do with DOHC.

In the V8, the piston & valves occupy the same space, but at different times; in the V6, they never cross into the same space (except with Stage 2 cams, etc.).

 

[MichaelH]

Where to Buy SHOs

I agree that unless you just love to spend money on a new or rebuilt engine, look elsewhere. This forum is a great place to start, as the cars are generally being sold by other members and have a good history and other members who can testify as to the relative value.

Another good place to research is http://www.shoregistry.com/ in the classifieds. You can search by year there.

 

[1stSHO]

That SHO on Ebay looks ratted out bad. It probably has more problems than just the engine.id steer clear of that one. its up to 1200.00 WOW