What causes you to loose a cam lobe

[Craig]

In several threads over the last year, I have read where people have one cam lobe wear down. These are not neglected engines, they are getting regular oil changes. Is the engine over heating in one spot cause the oil to burn and plug up a lifter galley? Which in turns causes excess fiction to the movement of the lifter?

Thanks

 

[ihpartsjeff]

In my opinion and from what I have seen the oil feed hole for the rocker arm gets blocked from sludge preventing the rocker from getting proper lube. It sticks/binds putting excessive pressure on the cam lobe wearing it out. I can't count how many times I have torn apart a rocker arm assembly to find everything looks good except for one rocker arm and that arm has a blocked oil feed hole.

 

[Craig]

Thanks Jeff