Rusty cam
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 2,029
Likes: 63
Rusty cam
I bought a new cam and it was rusty right out of the box. Very little storage grease on it. 
Well, too heavy object and too far away to send it back so looking for options. What do you say - is this a major problem or only cosmetical?
Luckily bearing surfaces have absolutely no rust. Lobes and spaces between them have some. Cannot feel them with a fingertip but can sense the roughness with my fingernail.
Here is a image to show the problem. Note, that I have increased contrast on the image so its not that bad with naked eye. Also all uneven things which are metal color are in fact oil.
So, what is the best course of action:
1. emery cloth + oil
2. take it to machine shop for repolish
3. scrap it
4. something else?
Thanks!
Well, too heavy object and too far away to send it back so looking for options. What do you say - is this a major problem or only cosmetical?Luckily bearing surfaces have absolutely no rust. Lobes and spaces between them have some. Cannot feel them with a fingertip but can sense the roughness with my fingernail.
Here is a image to show the problem. Note, that I have increased contrast on the image so its not that bad with naked eye. Also all uneven things which are metal color are in fact oil.
So, what is the best course of action:
1. emery cloth + oil
2. take it to machine shop for repolish
3. scrap it
4. something else?
Thanks!
Tech Contributor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 10,924
Likes: 78
From: Forney Texas
I mighttake some 1000 grit sandpaper and oil to it. If it's too deep, I would consider scrapping it. You don't want the rust to go deeper than the hardened layer. You might be able to just put it in and let it polish itself. Use good molybdenum cam lube on the lobes before installing.
Hopefully someone will chime in for another opinion. You can also e-mail comp cams for their opinion.
Hopefully someone will chime in for another opinion. You can also e-mail comp cams for their opinion.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29,063
Likes: 1,839
From: cookeville tennessee
I mighttake some 1000 grit sandpaper and oil to it. If it's too deep, I would consider scrapping it. You don't want the rust to go deeper than the hardened layer. You might be able to just put it in and let it polish itself. Use good molybdenum cam lube on the lobes before installing.
Hopefully someone will chime in for another opinion. You can also e-mail comp cams for their opinion.
Hopefully someone will chime in for another opinion. You can also e-mail comp cams for their opinion.
If what ever you do to the thing if it put any pits in it scap it..Dont want that come off in the motor, getting into the bearings..
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
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From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
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Since it's a steel billet cam...just polish it with some scotchbright and light solvent (parts washer) and get it all off there..even in between the lobes. Should work fine as long as there aren't actual pits in it.
JIM
JIM
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From: Taylor Michigan
Safety Car
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From: Miami FL
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I disagree with all the above.
The rolling contact between the cam lobes and the roller on the lifter generates huge stresses in the camshaft that can lead to fatigue and flaking of the cam surface, and that would be greatly accelerated by any deviation from a polished finish.
You should send your fine color photo to the vendor and insist that he pay for shipping this piece of junk back to him, and that he personally inspect and grease up the replacement he will be sending, again at his expense. Don't let him get away with this.
The rolling contact between the cam lobes and the roller on the lifter generates huge stresses in the camshaft that can lead to fatigue and flaking of the cam surface, and that would be greatly accelerated by any deviation from a polished finish.
You should send your fine color photo to the vendor and insist that he pay for shipping this piece of junk back to him, and that he personally inspect and grease up the replacement he will be sending, again at his expense. Don't let him get away with this.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 410
Likes: 0
From: Near Zanesville Ohio
cam
If you bought from a reputable vendor then I agree with the clevite kid if you got it from ebay or some other venue then I would polish it and run it but with careful inspection of the filters/magnetic drain plug with the first few oil changes to see any evidence of deterioration of the cam.
But hey what do I know, most of my engines are shade tree mechanic rebuilds so I am not out much if they destroy themselves in a hurry.
But hey what do I know, most of my engines are shade tree mechanic rebuilds so I am not out much if they destroy themselves in a hurry.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Have it reground or trash it.
U need to find a cam mfr that can regrind it for you. U may have a cam mfr locally that would do this for minimal charge.
This will reduce the lift but hopefully save the cam. Just too much work in replacing the camshaft to try a bad surfaced cam and have it wipe a lobe sending micro metal particles throughout the rest of the motor.
cardo0
This will reduce the lift but hopefully save the cam. Just too much work in replacing the camshaft to try a bad surfaced cam and have it wipe a lobe sending micro metal particles throughout the rest of the motor.cardo0
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 2
From: Austin TX
U need to find a cam mfr that can regrind it for you. U may have a cam mfr locally that would do this for minimal charge. This will reduce the lift but hopefully save the cam. Just too much work in replacing the camshaft to try a bad surfaced cam and have it wipe a lobe sending micro metal particles throughout the rest of the motor.
cardo0
This will reduce the lift but hopefully save the cam. Just too much work in replacing the camshaft to try a bad surfaced cam and have it wipe a lobe sending micro metal particles throughout the rest of the motor.cardo0
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Camshaft regrinding polishing
I bought a new cam and it was rusty right out of the box. Very little storage grease on it. Well, too heavy object and too far away to send it back so looking for options. What do you say - is this a major problem or only cosmetical?
Luckily bearing surfaces have absolutely no rust. Lobes and spaces between them have some. Cannot feel them with a fingertip but can sense the roughness with my fingernail.
Here is a image to show the problem. Note, that I have increased contrast on the image so its not that bad with naked eye. Also all uneven things which are metal color are in fact oil.
So, what is the best course of action:
1. emery cloth + oil
2. take it to machine shop for repolish
3. scrap it
4. something else?
Thanks!
Well, too heavy object and too far away to send it back so looking for options. What do you say - is this a major problem or only cosmetical?Luckily bearing surfaces have absolutely no rust. Lobes and spaces between them have some. Cannot feel them with a fingertip but can sense the roughness with my fingernail.
Here is a image to show the problem. Note, that I have increased contrast on the image so its not that bad with naked eye. Also all uneven things which are metal color are in fact oil.
So, what is the best course of action:
1. emery cloth + oil
2. take it to machine shop for repolish
3. scrap it
4. something else?
Thanks!
Kams, Inc. industrial camshaft regrinding, design, and manufacturing
2nd Gear
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Cam regrinding - profile changes
U need to find a cam mfr that can regrind it for you. U may have a cam mfr locally that would do this for minimal charge. This will reduce the lift but hopefully save the cam. Just too much work in replacing the camshaft to try a bad surfaced cam and have it wipe a lobe sending micro metal particles throughout the rest of the motor.
cardo0
This will reduce the lift but hopefully save the cam. Just too much work in replacing the camshaft to try a bad surfaced cam and have it wipe a lobe sending micro metal particles throughout the rest of the motor.cardo0
Kams, Inc. - cam grinding and remanufacturing for industrial engines
