Originally Posted by dcotant

Pulled the valve cover last night on my 1969 280SE and discovered one of the cam lobes had a huge flat spot on it like someone held a grinder on it. Started it with the cover off and had a nice stream of oil, same as the other lobes, squirting on it.

History: B4 I bought this car it was throwing blue smoke. The seller convinced me to work on it with him. He said he had head work done recently and since then he believed a valve was not closing all the way. I worked on it with him and sure enough we found one of the thrust pieces (that sit on top of the valves) was cocked enuff to prevent the valve from closing completely. After freeing it, setting valve clearance and reassembling, there was a remarkable difference, engine purred like a kitten. Threw a little smoke on the way home but since has no visible exhaust. Yes, as it turns out it was the same valve that now has the destroyed cam lobe.

So my questions are these:

1. What happened to cause this? I am guessing that the valve was now closing all the way but perhaps warped enuff not to open all the way?

2. Do reconditioned heads, if I could find one, come fully equipped (i.e. with the cam shaft included?

3. Am I a nut to continue with this car, since all that metal has now gone down into the engine and done who knows what? Very least should I expect to pull the engine to inspect bearings on the bottom end?

Is really sad. The car is rusty (Wisconsin Salt Mine) but the interior is nice. I was going to pick up the 108 chassis from another forum member and transplant what I thought was the "good engine" into the rust free chassis.