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

[1evilregal]

I think we've all wasted $25 on worse stuff than that.... hoping it works out, I love great deals!

 

[Bonnewagon]

t's a gamble... I might as well roll the dice!

Attaboy. How many times have we dragged home some great deal from a swap meet that turns out to be crap? The lifters alone are worth way more than $25.

 

[paul.m]

I agree with clarmo , it greatly depends on what kinda build its going in . At 25 $ it,s gotta be good for something !

 

[JAMCAR223]

I agree with clarmo , it greatly depends on what kinda build its going in . At 25 $ it,s gotta be good for something !

B. U. D. G. E. T... He sent me some pics of the lifters, and they look good. They had not been out of the protective tube. I'm going to get it in the morning.

 

[Kennybill]

Been there, done that. I have a large roll of 1inch wide emory that I bought 20 years ago at a garage sale for 2 bucks. Whenever I want to clean up a crankshaft or a cam's journals I cut a couple of feet off the roll. I oil the bearing journal, oil the fabric backside of the emory cloth. Holding each end, Using back and forth around the journal. Stop, wipe journal, wipe the fabric side, re-oil everything, repeat. You'd be surprised how it'll clean up. Use fuild film, cosmolen, heavy grease then wrap for long time storage. In Ohio, unprotected stuff rust so fast. I was a little vague, I use the oiled cloth side of the long emory strip NOT the actual emory/sanding side.

 

[JAMCAR223]

Been there, done that. I have a large roll of 1inch wide emory that I bought 20 years ago at a garage sale for 2 bucks. Whenever I want to clean up a crankshaft or a cam's journals I cut a couple of feet off the roll. I oil the bearing journal, oil the fabric backside of the emory cloth. Holding each end, Using back and forth around the journal. Stop, wipe journal, wipe the fabric side, re-oil everything, repeat. You'd be surprised how it'll clean up. Use fuild film, cosmolen, heavy grease then wrap for long time storage. In Ohio, unprotected stuff rust so fast.

Thanks for the testimony, and giving me a little reassurance.

 

[MrSony]

I wouldn't.

 

[olds307 and 403]

I had that cam in a 403, it is OK. As said, soak and access. Offer him a 20.

 

[JAMCAR223]

Alright guys... the results are in. I spent about 1.5 hours this afternoon polishing this cam. I used what I had... WD-40 and a red Scotchbrite pad. I did the entire cam, and this cam is a GO. I could probably install it as-is, but before I actually install it, I will purchase the correct grade emory cloth, and do a final polish. For now, I will apply some Lubri-Plate engine assembly lube, and bag it. I'm on the hunt for the next great deal. A carburetor, or a pair of #7 Olds 350 heads...

Thanks to everyone who replied. If this was a higher-budget build, this would have not even been considered. But that's not the case here. This 403 is going in my "Aeroback 2" project 78 Cutlass Salon, that has an anemic 110HP / 125 TQ 260ci V8. I believe I can triple that, and at least have a little fun driving it to cruise nights.

 

[Injectedcutty]

Alright guys... the results are in. I spent about 1.5 hours this afternoon polishing this cam. I used what I had... WD-40 and a red Scotchbrite pad. I did the entire cam, and this cam is a GO. I could probably install it as-is, but before I actually install it, I will purchase the correct grade emory cloth, and do a final polish. For now, I will apply some Lubri-Plate engine assembly lube, and bag it. I'm on the hunt for the next great deal. A carburetor, or a pair of #7 Olds 350 heads...

Thanks to everyone who replied. If this was a higher-budget build, this would have not even been considered. But that's not the case here. This 403 is going in my "Aeroback 2" project 78 Cutlass Salon, that has an anemic 110HP / 125 TQ 260ci V8. I believe I can triple that, and at least have a little fun driving it to cruise nights.
View attachment 106866
View attachment 106867

Great job James, the cam turned out great!!!! Definitely worth the effort!