Pinto Car Club of America

I thought this would have come up before since I had heard oil pressure to the cam is a common problem. I bought my 79 wagon with 66K miles 17 years ago and have only put 20K on since then. It had a terrible knocking sound coming from the cam when it warmed up that would come and go so the first thing I did was check the cam. It had bad wear on the back lobe so I had the head rebuilt and replaced the cam and followers thinking this would help with the oil distribution. It lasted a few years but it came back. If I idle real slow the knocking will stop for a while. I installed gauges as part of my gradual 17 year customization project including oil pressure and I have good pressure all the time.  I haven't taken the valve cover off but I'm sure the same thing happened again. What can I do or is this just a "bad" engine with no hope?
Michigan pinto (the only one I have seen in years around here)

Install a roller cam from a Ford Ranger truck.
From Pintony

Good call Tony,  you could also replace the oil pump with a high pressure/ high volume unit.  This was something I did with every 4 banger i messed with, Ive never had any problems with my top ends, I always sent the bottom end thru the side of the block ;)

The oil comes up to the head and is distributed to the rockers and bearings though the cam shaft. The spinning cam shaft acts as a centrifuge and deposits the heavy metals in the oil to the I.D. of the cam and also around the little holes this will restrict flow.

Thanks for the suggestions,
I will probably do both the roller cam and the high pressure pump just to make sure. I want this to last until I retire, then major customization. Just keeping it running right now. Just had to replace the steering rubber coupling disk. took a Sat afternoon to figure out how to get that apart and back together.
Michigan Pinto

 ;D, that steering coupler was fun wasn't it?  I don't know about you but I said a lot of bad words when I changed mine.