is a used cam worth buying?
is a used cam worth buying? there are people on this board selling cams for pretty good prices. they have around 3-8,000 miles on them. is it worth buying a used cam or should i just save up and get a new one? thanks!!
justin
justin
The worth part is that you get a discount and you get the cam in no time. I mean like if the cam is on back order or something, but to answer your Question it is find to get a used cam. I would look for one that has lesser miles if I was you.
That amount of miles on a roller cam is nothing. They just don't wear unless you have a lifter turn on them. Then they are scrap metal. I've never had a problem with a used roller cam and I've installed quite a few of them.
Originally Posted by tensecondz
My biggest concern would be to verify the actual grind that you bought before installing.
As stated, a roller cams lobes do not marry themselves to the lifters like a flat tappet. I would run a used roller cam all day long .
like stated above roller cams dont wear unless the lifter is screwed. Shouldnt have a problem with used cam except just make sure its the actual grind you want. The cam i have thats about to go in my car is used cam 
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Verdad Gallardo There is usually some form of ID on the end of the cam. Comp is probably the easiest. They etch the lobe #s, LSA, advance and ser # on the end of the cam. GM puts the last 4 digits of the part # on theirs. Those are the two I'm most familiar with. Most mfgrs will put some kind of ID on their cams. It may me a code that only they can identify though. You can always sent it to Thunder Racing and get it cam doctored. I think they charge $25.
You could ask. You could do a quick check for lift if you have a micrometer. Otherwise you'd need to take it to a cam doctor. Just buy from someone respectable and it will be correct. There aren't as many scammers around here as you think, at least with a decent post count and good feedback. If you don't know ask around and you can find out if the certain individual is a good seller. Like said above the roller cams don't wear hardly at all. I have a cam that has 8,000 miles on it and you can barely even see the wear on it. The only way you can tell is that the part where the roller went is a slightly different color. Probably because it is smoother. If you can feel scratches or see them then send it back.
Originally Posted by 2xLS1
There is usually some form of ID on the end of the cam. Comp is probably the easiest. They etch the lobe #s, LSA, advance and ser # on the end of the cam. GM puts the last 4 digits of the part # on theirs. Those are the two I'm most familiar with. Most mfgrs will put some kind of ID on their cams. It may me a code that only they can identify though. You can always sent it to Thunder Racing and get it cam doctored. I think they charge $25.
my comp cam had number's etched into. My tsp cam did as well. Some cams probably even have serial numbers. The only real way to find out is get it cam doctored though. 
Originally Posted by 2xLS1
There is usually some form of ID on the end of the cam. Comp is probably the easiest. They etch the lobe #s, LSA, advance and ser # on the end of the cam. GM puts the last 4 digits of the part # on theirs. Those are the two I'm most familiar with. Most mfgrs will put some kind of ID on their cams. It may me a code that only they can identify though. You can always sent it to Thunder Racing and get it cam doctored. I think they charge $25.
The biggest concern I had was that the cam was stored properly. I once bought a cam that had been in storage for a while and then polished up... you could still see and feel the rust pits on the bearing surfaces... they were very small but they were still there, and they'll tear the he$$ out of your cam bearings if installed. 1st yes, you need to make sure it's the right cam. But also be very VERY critical of the condition before you put it in your car.
