Camshaft opinion needed

[pagrunt]

I was checking the cam that came with the 350 that I'm rebuilding & I need an opinion. I believe it is new , the edges of the lobes are sharp with no shine & no wear on the distributor drive gear. The bearing surfaces are smooth & shinny. I have looked over it trying to find any wear on it but can't. This is an Edelbrock cam & I still has the paint dabs on it. Is there any thing else I might be over looking to prove that it is new? I would like to use it & just get new lifters to help the budget.

 

[Texas82GP]

If it looks like new then I don't see a problem re-using it with a new set of lifters. If you have the lifters that were running on it and they are still in the same order they were in when removed from the engine, and they look good, then I would disassemble and clean them one at time, assemble them and prime them. Assuming they are flat tappet, they are already matched to the cam and broken in.

 

[MrSony]

I would use it, but get new lifters and some break in oil. Yes its more expensive, but if you do not have the old lifters in the EXACT same spot, you will immediately ruin that cam and maybe your motor.

 

[pagrunt]

I forgot to add that I didn't get the lifters with everything that came with the engine deal. The cam is an Eldelbrock 2102.

 

[565bbchevy]

You can also Mic the lobes to verify it is not used

 

[Dayzedandkonfuzed]

You can also Mic the lobes to verify it is not used

My thoughts exactly

 

[pontiacgp]

I thought lifters and lobes when broken in together are stuck together for life....

 

[MrSony]

I thought lifters and lobes when broken in together are stuck together for life....

Yes, but you can always put new lifters with old cams in good shape, but never the other way around. And if you can afford lifters and you have to replace them for some reason, might as well get a new cam too. But in this case if the cam was never used, any good NEW lifters are fine.