Reusing a cam
02-07-2009, 08:07 PM
#1
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (47)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BAY AREA CA
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Reusing a cam did a buncha searching but nothing came up that answered my question.
what are the cons of reusing a performance cam?
i had a used 224r in my old camaro, worked great for about 10k til the pump went out...cam had about 5k on it before it was installed in my old motor.
just want to get some opinions
thanks
what are the cons of reusing a performance cam?
i had a used 224r in my old camaro, worked great for about 10k til the pump went out...cam had about 5k on it before it was installed in my old motor.
just want to get some opinions
thanks
02-07-2009, 09:19 PM
#6
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (47)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BAY AREA CA
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
02-07-2009, 09:25 PM
#7
Teching In
Join Date: May 2008
Location: houston
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
understood lol i dont thing the cam would have that much wear on the bearings or anything i would say your ok and good to go put it back in if its the cam you want you dont wanna go big ect.... and be done with it you dont have any problems to worry about if you dont see anything jacked up on the lobes of the cam
Trending Topics
02-07-2009, 09:26 PM
#8
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (47)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BAY AREA CA
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
understood lol i dont thing the cam would have that much wear on the bearings or anything i would say your ok and good to go put it back in if its the cam you want you dont wanna go big ect.... and be done with it you dont have any problems to worry about if you dont see anything jacked up on the lobes of the cam
02-08-2009, 11:22 AM
#9
11 Second Club
iTrader: (8)
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Kansas
Posts: 910
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Re-using a hydraulic roller cam is perfectly fine as long as you get one without any scratches/knicks on it.
The wear patterns in cams are most obvious in solid lifter cams, where damage to the cam seems to occur much easier.
The wear patterns in cams are most obvious in solid lifter cams, where damage to the cam seems to occur much easier.
02-08-2009, 11:36 AM
#10
The most I'd consider doing before putting a used cam in, is inspecting it for any visible scratches or knicks, then I'd measure the bearing surfaces with a micrometer to make sure they're still right.
At that point, it'd probably not be necessary to have a shop polish the bearing surfaces...but it's an option if necessary (if you have a means of measuring surface finish...not everyone does, you could even do that as well). You could also measure the lobes with a micrometer just to compare all the intake lobes to each other, and all the exhaust lobes to each other...measure across the base circle and across peak lift...if any lobes stand out different from the rest then it's not worth using it.
At that point, it'd probably not be necessary to have a shop polish the bearing surfaces...but it's an option if necessary (if you have a means of measuring surface finish...not everyone does, you could even do that as well). You could also measure the lobes with a micrometer just to compare all the intake lobes to each other, and all the exhaust lobes to each other...measure across the base circle and across peak lift...if any lobes stand out different from the rest then it's not worth using it.
02-08-2009, 09:33 PM
#15
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (47)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BAY AREA CA
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
lol it was a friendly debate, since ima cheap *** and am gonna get a used cam and hes picky about his new setup and said he was gonna be buying new everything...i just wasnt sure about the reasoning lol
in the end he still knows way more than i do about motors etc lol
in the end he still knows way more than i do about motors etc lol
02-08-2009, 09:53 PM
#16
Didn't mean to come across so harsh. If you can find what you need used by all means go for it. I just get chapped at all the misinfo on here if you don't weed it out..... I have F'd with the motors a while now and still hear **** make me wonder...... There is GREAT info on this site but you gotta run a stong BS filter and know who to listen too. (EX).... Anything racer 7088 says just put in your favorites and save it for reference.....Afew others too.....
02-08-2009, 10:29 PM
#17
Staging Lane
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Springhill, LA
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As long as there aren't any obvious nicks scratches etc on a roller cam you will be fine. Guaranteed your buddy is still running of the ole flat tappet cams scare its not all that good to reuse a flat tappet the cams wear to match the specific lifter that it has been running on from breakin they are much more sensitive to being reused good idea to just buy a new one because they are so cheap and sensitive to breakin anyway. rollers are not so picky you will probably notice some discoloration on the center portion of the lobes where the lifters have been riding but that is no cause for concern.
02-10-2009, 02:19 PM
#19
TECH Enthusiast
Thread Starter
iTrader: (47)
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: BAY AREA CA
Posts: 711
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
As long as there aren't any obvious nicks scratches etc on a roller cam you will be fine. Guaranteed your buddy is still running of the ole flat tappet cams scare its not all that good to reuse a flat tappet the cams wear to match the specific lifter that it has been running on from breakin they are much more sensitive to being reused good idea to just buy a new one because they are so cheap and sensitive to breakin anyway. rollers are not so picky you will probably notice some discoloration on the center portion of the lobes where the lifters have been riding but that is no cause for concern.
that was my argument lol
