What makes a camshaft break into 4 pieces?

[Nitmoi]

This is why my engine has holes in the crank case. Any ideas?

There is pitting on the cams but followers and push rods all appear fine.

One bush down to copper the other still silvered.

[jamesc76]

Sorry the battery's are dead in my crystal ball, what engine is ! what happened just before it when bang?

[Nitmoi]

Sorry Jim. I got no new battery but.....

It is a 1915 water cooled boxer.

Running fine. Running in after new pistons, rings, clutch, exhaust.

All fluids topped up to levels.

Doing 60 on an even run on major A road. No noticeable bang just stopped ran to a halt. Turned engine over on starter, no sieze. Small amount of coolant and oil on road still full in both tanks.

Nearside camshaft.

[tonytech]

There is only one camshaft.
Do you mean rocker shaft?

[Nitmoi]

Hi Tony, It has cams and cam followers and contacts the push rods. It has a large toothed wheel on the one end. Not sure if it is what you call it. It is deffo broke though

[BOXY]

Any photos?

[toomanytoys]

Cams dont usually break on there own.. sure a rod hasnt escaped the case too.. what usually happens is oil pressure drops because of wear normally, under load, bearing picks up, welds to crank, rod gives and smashes the remains out of the case.. taking cam and everything else in its way with it...

[oorwullie]

on 6 cylinder injins they break in 6 parts.


mibbe.