How do i remove surface rust on a cam...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,562
Likes: 1
From: Bedford TX
How do i remove surface rust on a cam...
I finally got a cam, 233/239 from a forum member, when it got here, it had some light surface rust. Anyone know the BEST way to take it off? It's not pitted or anything, just VERY light, i can almost rub it off with my thumb.
on second inspection (at the time i took the pics today) i noticed the rust might be a little worse than just surface, its pretty rough if you scratch it with a fingernail.
****UPDATE****
I talked to the seller today (10/10/06) and he said he was sorry, he doesn't know what happened to it, but he'd gladly return my money to me on friday, and i'll ship the cam back to him.
Link to original sale thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1508882
on second inspection (at the time i took the pics today) i noticed the rust might be a little worse than just surface, its pretty rough if you scratch it with a fingernail.
****UPDATE****
I talked to the seller today (10/10/06) and he said he was sorry, he doesn't know what happened to it, but he'd gladly return my money to me on friday, and i'll ship the cam back to him.
Link to original sale thread:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1508882
Last edited by 5W0P3; Oct 10, 2006 at 03:22 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
If it is very light just take a rag with some WD-40 and wiped it down real hard (alot of pressure on the rag), it should come right off. Be careful with a rusted cam, those rollers don't like a pitted surface, and if it is rusted it is pitted. Hopefully not enough to hurt anything.
I bought this new from MTI in Texas
. It would not wipe off! I sent it back and they sent me another replacement, about six phone calls and a month later!
I bought this new from MTI in Texas
. It would not wipe off! I sent it back and they sent me another replacement, about six phone calls and a month later!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,683
Likes: 144
From: Memphis Tennessee
More than likely.......if there is any rust on the facings, the cam is history. Even microscopic rusting damages the surface and disrupts the ability to hold the film of oil necessary for proper lubrication.
Now the short of it. I would expect to have to replace the cam, but you might get lucky.
Now the short of it. I would expect to have to replace the cam, but you might get lucky.
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Burnout
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,437
Likes: 12
From: South Surrey (White Rock) British Columbia
Salvage?
Originally Posted by 5W0P3
Ok, so here are some before and after pics.
Before:
After:
Before:
After:
jm.02c
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,562
Likes: 1
From: Bedford TX
Originally Posted by SpeedyZ
Wow, that is worse than mine was! Looks like it was not oiled down after it was removed. Those are some really bad pits! I wouldn't put that in any engine!
! Looks like it was not oiled down after it was removed. Those are some really bad pits! I wouldn't put that in any engine!Thats what i was thinking. Cam arrived dry today in the comp box. Not in plastic.
I added a link back to the original post of the forsale link and on this one.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1508882
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 23,682
Likes: 9
From: Flagstaff Az.
cam
The person who sold it to you should know better-the cam is useless for anything but an anchor. Good luck. If they are a forum member they will probably give you your money back if they want to ever sell anything here in the future. Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,451
Likes: 2
From: East Peoria Illinois
Originally Posted by 5W0P3
Is there anyway this could have happened in shipping? (when neither the seller or i had control over it?)
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,313
Likes: 5
From: Middle Tennessee
I work in an automotive machine shop where we rebuild 500-700 engines per month, including a cam polishing process. That cam is no good. It would be immediately tossed into our metal recycling bin. The pitted surface makes it useless. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 6,059
Likes: 12
From: AKA Harvey Mushman-I know just enough to be dangerous "Those who sacrifice liberty for safety deserve neither"- B. Franklin
Senior Member
Cruise-In V Veteran
F'n junk. I'm sorry that a forum member would consider selling that to anyone.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 1,384
Likes: 8
From: Southwest Virginia
Originally Posted by madeouttaglass
F'n junk. I'm sorry that a forum member would consider selling that to anyone.
But it is likely the forum member who sold it took it out of the motor and placed it in the box and sit it on the shelf of a damp garage or basement. Then picked up the box and shipped it out, probably never even opened the box before he shipped it. I'm sure when he sees how badly pitted the cam is he will know that couldn't have happened in shipping or caused by the buyer and will refund the money.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 119
Likes: 18
From: MO.
I read in the other thread that you posted .he said he just took it out of the car the other day. It was put in his about a month before? The posts were dated 9/27. Looks like a lot of rust from just the other day. Check with Comp cams,If the pitts are not too deep they may be able to clean it up for you , but it may be just as cost effective to buy new. Here's the deal though , if it is able to be cleaned up, by the time you pay for it you will have actually spent more than a brand new shaft.
Last edited by xelerator; Oct 6, 2006 at 10:49 PM.
