Reply to "cam shaft lobe extensively worn"

Uli, there's no single reason for flat tappet cam lobe wear, according to professional engine builders. '4V' mentioned a long list of possibilities for failure and I agree. But one thing that is implicated in quite a number of failures is lack of the high-pressure camshaft oil additive Zinc-dithiodiethylphosphate, also known as ZDDP. This additive is vital to today's flat tappet cams & spring pressures and was mostly removed from world oil supplies, due to potential poisoning of catalytic converters- in spite of the vast majority of engines sold today NOT using flat tappets, and the ones that DO need it not using catalytic converters.

Next time, break in a new high quality flat tappet cam and a complete set of new lifters according to the mfgr's strict instructions, using ZDDP as req'd. Then use recommended amounts of the additive for the rest of the engine's life. Think of it as heart medicine for your engine.

Or rebuild your engine with a roller cam. Today's hydraulic rollers are dependable, do not need ZDDP in the oil and do not need periodic lash adjustment, which is difficult at best in a mid-engine Pantera. Sadly, roller cam conversions to a 351-C (which never received them from Ford) are not a bolt-in and are not as cheap as a flat tappet version, but do often produce more power and torque as a bonus.