Engine Concerns - Camshaft

[IO390]

To follow up, I’m doing a 50hr inspection and had a go at some minimally invasive bottom end inspection.

My engine only has a mag on the right side so I took the blanking plate off the left side mag pad. I was then able to put the scope into the rear of the actual crankcase and get a view of everything inside. The only problem here is that the scope is at the bottom of the case, so the camshaft is out of the focal range of my Borescope. If you had one with adjustable focus or even just a longer focal length (maybe 12 inches?) then you’d have a perfect view of the cam and lifters, and all you need to do is remove a mag or the fuel pump.







The thrust face way up at the forward end of the case:



With all the nervousness these days surrounding internal corrosion and engine overhaul costs, I’m really interested any methods to verify condition that could realistically be done on a prebuy. With a few minutes of work and a good Borescope you could get a good a view inside the engine with this method without having to pull a cylinder.

 

[sansoneservices]

Nice bright pictures. My scope has a side facing camera and the typical forward camera but the lighting isn't strong enough. Focal length is close too. I'm talking myself into a new scope

 

[wirejock]

Does it matter if the engine is a roller tappet?
I thought I read somewhere, it's possible to snake a borescope down through the vent or the oil filler and see some area of the cam. I'm sure I am wrong.

 

[gasman]

I'm not comfortable snaking-in the borescope from the accessory section, then through a passage into the crankcase and then trying to work it up to the camshaft. Even if I can see all 8 cam lobes and lifter faces, I would rather pull a jug. Often a seller isn't willing to let a potential buyer pull a jug, and I fully understand. A good look at the steel gears in the accessory section can give you an idea of corrosion levels inside the engine.

Don't be disappointed if there is only 6 cam lobes....

 

[IO390]

Does it matter if the engine is a roller tappet?
I thought I read somewhere, it's possible to snake a borescope down through the vent or the oil filler and see some area of the cam. I'm sure I am wrong.

No, roller engines are otherwise the same as flat tappet engines. The normal 540 cases have the dipstick running through the case and you can scope into the dipstick tube - perhaps that’s what you were thinking of