Burken01

iTrader: (88)

So I recently sold a Ls6 cam because I decided to go with a diffrent cam for my turbo build..

Well I get an email and he says that theres some light pitting on a couple of the base lobes.. I had never really checked the cam out as I was still in the middle of collecting parts for my build, anyway I asked him to email me pics of it. he did..













What are your guys thought on running this?

I wanna make this right with the buyer, if it will work perfectly then ok.. If not then Ill give him a refund..

thanks everyone.

427LS7HCI

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

I know I've seen a few threads about worn cams, but this one is really light and isnt on a lobe where a lifter is at...

I know it isnt ideal but is it fixable to get it polished out a hair?

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

Oh and it's on two of the cam base lobes and in the same spot on each, I think that it probably sat in an engine for X amount of time and thats why the 2 marks are identical on each lobe...

Machine-Master

The main looks pitted or is that just the picture?

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

thats what I'm talking about, I've been calling it cam base lobe lol... I'm not a cam expert sorry...

RQSGTO

Any damage to your camshaft bearings? Pictures? I would take the camshaft to a machine shop and have it inspected.

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

I never ran it, I purchased it from someone on here 6 months ago... I guess I can PM him though even though its been half a year..

FAD2BLK93

Personally i would touch it up with a mild wet sand and hit it with a buffing wheel. Make shure its smooth enough not to catch or dig into the berrings and LET ER RIP! run it, not a problem in my book. Just my .02

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

yea if he doesnt want to try that ill refund him and do that and re sell...

you interested? lol

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

Those appear to be the journals for the bearings. Polishing that out may not be an option. Not following the logic, you bought the cam and never ran it so you sold it to someone elst or was this something you ran in your car?

If you never ran it would you? Personally, even though photos tend to make things look worse then they are, I would not put that in my car for fear of issues down the road nor would I try to correct that. IMO that cam is a paper weight.

lemons12

iTrader: (71)

At MAX 400$ or less for a cam, usually 250$ or less for a good condition used.. No way that would go in my car.

la_blue_SS

X2 better to be safe than sorry!

PREDATOR-Z

Can't polish that stick. Those are hardened after grind and polishing could remove this process and cause worse situation down the road.
Those are cast imperfections and unless **** (since the pitting is light and only in a circular motion pattern (does not have any up/down action on it), I would run as is.

SSInnovations

iTrader: (8)

Hey guys, I'm the buyer. You can feel very light pitting in those spots, is it toast?

O2Form

Are you kidding? Thats a paper weight. Can't have any pitting on the bearing journals. Looks to me like it sat and got light rust on it and someone tried cleaning it up. Have any idea how much pressure is on those journals when the engine is running? Its gonna eat those bearing to nothing in no time.

Don't put that your engine.

jorgezee1

iTrader: (7)

I'm not an expert, but doesn't the cam ride on a oil film? so it does not actually ride on the bearings. so if he was to polish it up with say a scoth brite pad and it is smooth would it not be fine? Are these billet cams hardened to the core? polishing should not weaking them? though if there is damage to the lobes I could see a problem with the lifters.

O2Form

Yer right...you're no expert. Everything rides on a oil film.............so no surfaces need to be machined smooth in your world. Seriously are you kidding? Do you see the wear marks in the pictures? If the journals ride on a oil film how could they possibly get there? DID Santy Claus put them there? Maybe they magicly appeared? Because everything rides on a oil flim in a engine....how could anything wear? Dam I want U to buld my next car engine!

Think for just a min, how much pressure do you think 16 valve springs put on a camshaft at rest? How long will it take for oil from the oil pump take to pressurize the oil gallery and start floating the bearing journals? Better not take long in your world.

Burken01

iTrader: (88)

lmao...^^^

is denmah around?? I hear he hammers cams into his engines??

are you interested in this one?

vettenuts

iTrader: (4)

I find it odd that the journals are damaged on one side and the damage doesn't appear to have any circularity. Also, the first photo shows marks on the cam lobe in line with the journal. If I had to guess, I think the cam was dropped on a rough surface.

I still wouldn't run it in my car, especially since LS6 cams used are easy to find and new aren't that expensive.