Rusty (new) cam - Anybody have experience polishing cam journals?

[JAMCAR223]

I can buy this Edelbrock Performer Plus cam & lifter package for $25. It's for Olds 403 #3712. Never been instaledl. New in the box since 2008. I'm a little leary about it, and almost passed on it immediately, but just wondered what you guys think? Great way to save $200, and use it to purchase other parts. Any Input...

 

[Bonnewagon]

Assuming the lifters are dry and not damaged, then I'd check for pits. Rust is easy to polish off but deep pits would be a problem. If the lifters got wet I'd consider them junk.

 

[fleming442]

Aren't the lobes Nitrided? I would figure that to be compromised......

 

[motorheadmike]

Rub it down with WD-40 and a cotton cloth, brake clean it, and then soak it in vinegar for a day... the rust should wipe right off. Then you can polish it up by hand.

 

[69hurstolds]

That's a $200 gamble. Every time you polish the journals, you increase the clearance just a hair. But as long as it's just surface marring, and no huge potholes, a few pits won't ruin the cam. The last journal looks a bit cruddy.

Why not? I've blown $25 on dumber sh*t than that. The upside win chances are great in this part of it. You can use it as a doorstop if it's too far gone.

 

[81cutlass]

My engine machinist says the tolerance on cam journals is WIDE. The pounds per square inch of force seen on a cam bearing is a fraction of what is seen in a rod or main bearing.

He says it's often that cam bearings come small and you have to ream them to size. Cam also gets oil after the crank so if the clearance is a bit wide it doesnt drop a ton of oil pressure.

As long as the lobes aren't real bad i'd dip it in vinegar and rub the journals in some emory cloth or high grit sand paper and stab it in

 

[Clarmo]

Would I try it in a $500 Engine??? Yes
Would I try it in a $2500+ Engine??? NO
You wont save $200 if it DOESN'T work.

 

[Streetbu]

I wouldn't polish it all. Stick it in a tub with citric acid and let it work. It will only remove the rust. Probably only take an hour or two then see what it looks like. I'd definitely buy it and take the gamble to see if it cleans up, then make the decision to use it, or not to use it...

 

[TURNA]

buy it fill out card mail it in then send it back under warranty

 

[JAMCAR223]

I pretty much agree with all of you.
-The last journal looks the worst
-Definitely look for pitting
-It would hopefully polish up
-I've wasted $25 on dumber sh*t than that
It's a gamble... I might as well roll the dice! I'll post up the results.