recently put a top end in a buddies truck and after about two weeks it started to run like crap. I pulled the valve cover off to find that the cam shaft was being eating away by the rocker arms. exhaust valve on # 3 cylinder was really bad completely gone. so i pulled the cam out and all the journals looked of except for the one in the middle on the head it a littl scarred up . and also most of the rocker arms were shot i dont know it they were like this when i assmebled a couple weeks ago didnt think tho look ive never had a problem assembling these engines before. Anyways i really dont know what caused this to happen i wanted to see if anyone had any ideas? i was also wondering if i would be ok with just a new cam and rocker arms and not worry about the slightly scarred cam journal? this was a brand new head with cam shaft by the way . When i was taking the cam out im pretty sure one of the bolts that held the middle cap on was loose maybe that could have played a part?
on these 22r/re you have to adjust the valve lash first cold, then test drive and (warm up) the engine then remove the valve cover and recheck valve lash at operating temp. i believe it is set .8 and .12. also be careful when u tighten down the valve cover, do not tighten too tight it will lift the rocker assembly and change ur newly adjusted valves. if the valve lash is too tight it will burn up the cam quick.
