Is it ok to buy a used cam??
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Launching!
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 293
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Is it ok to buy a used cam?? I can get the exact grind i was going to spend 400 dollars for for 250 bucks. It has less the 1000 miles on it. He's sending me pictures now..
What are your guys thoughts?
What are your guys thoughts?
Lots of people use used cams, some will say go for it and some will say spend the extra couple hundred for insurance reason. To be honest, not sure if I would but it really shouldn't be a problem. Especially with only 1000 miles.
If he's an honest seller and came out of a good running motor, go for it. New cams (NIB) sell for cheap prices in the for sale section too. I picked up a new one with an LS2 chain for a pretty fair price. Just act fast.
If he's an honest seller and came out of a good running motor, go for it. New cams (NIB) sell for cheap prices in the for sale section too. I picked up a new one with an LS2 chain for a pretty fair price. Just act fast.
I am on my 5th used cam. Never a problem. I have only bought 2 cams. The rest were trades. 
Hydraulic roller cams should not "wear out" exactly. Mechanical, flat tappet or solid roller cams mate to the lifters like was said above. Kinda like a condoms. Install 1 time. 
Hydraulic roller cams should not "wear out" exactly. Mechanical, flat tappet or solid roller cams mate to the lifters like was said above. Kinda like a condoms. Install 1 time. Trending Topics
You want to watch for pitting, or excessive wear or scoring on the cams bearings. You also want to check for any grooves created by excessive lifter wear. As stated previously though, a hydraulic lifte is pretty gentle on a cam!
Also, watch for tiny bits of rust...sometimes cams sit on the shelf and aren't oiled. Moisture can cause small build ups of rust. If that is the case, I would buy new or have it machined.
Also, watch for tiny bits of rust...sometimes cams sit on the shelf and aren't oiled. Moisture can cause small build ups of rust. If that is the case, I would buy new or have it machined.
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I got a used Comp 224 for sale. Here's a link to the thread, with idle vid.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7805369
might be what your looking for
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?p=7805369
might be what your looking for
Have the seller send you clearly focused pictures of the following two areas of caution:
1. Be sure that the bearing surfaces and the cam lobes are smooth and the cam visually looks OK (others have mentioned this too).
2. Get a picture of the rear of the cam that shows the part number of the cam. A number of people have been deceived that the cam they are buying is a specific aftermarket grind. Then a cam is shipped in the Comp/Crane/other aftermarket manufacturer's box. The cam inside is the stock cam out of the seller's vehicle.
Most people are good honest sellers and buyers. I wouldn't hesitate to buy and install a used hydraulic roller cam that was in good shape.
Steve
1. Be sure that the bearing surfaces and the cam lobes are smooth and the cam visually looks OK (others have mentioned this too).
2. Get a picture of the rear of the cam that shows the part number of the cam. A number of people have been deceived that the cam they are buying is a specific aftermarket grind. Then a cam is shipped in the Comp/Crane/other aftermarket manufacturer's box. The cam inside is the stock cam out of the seller's vehicle.
Most people are good honest sellers and buyers. I wouldn't hesitate to buy and install a used hydraulic roller cam that was in good shape.
Steve
Originally Posted by Steve Bryant
Have the seller send you clearly focused pictures of the following two areas of caution:
1. Be sure that the bearing surfaces and the cam lobes are smooth and the cam visually looks OK (others have mentioned this too).
2. Get a picture of the rear of the cam that shows the part number of the cam. A number of people have been deceived that the cam they are buying is a specific aftermarket grind. Then a cam is shipped in the Comp/Crane/other aftermarket manufacturer's box. The cam inside is the stock cam out of the seller's vehicle.
Most people are good honest sellers and buyers. I wouldn't hesitate to buy and install a used hydraulic roller cam that was in good shape.
Steve
1. Be sure that the bearing surfaces and the cam lobes are smooth and the cam visually looks OK (others have mentioned this too).
2. Get a picture of the rear of the cam that shows the part number of the cam. A number of people have been deceived that the cam they are buying is a specific aftermarket grind. Then a cam is shipped in the Comp/Crane/other aftermarket manufacturer's box. The cam inside is the stock cam out of the seller's vehicle.
Most people are good honest sellers and buyers. I wouldn't hesitate to buy and install a used hydraulic roller cam that was in good shape.
Steve
What about used springs?
With aftermarket springs capable of handling higher lifts (.600-.650) it's normal to check all springs after a certain amount of time and on a regular basis. At a certain point, even springs you purchased new will need to be replaced.
I'm certainly not gonna risk destroying my engine over saving a couple dollars on used springs. Nor on the word of someone selling as to the above concerns on how the springs were treated.
Now a roller cam, on the other hand, is a different story. I agree with the others as to if the condition of the roller surfaces and bearing surfaces are visually OK - then used cam would be fine to use. Make sure cam has markings on end that correspond to the appropriate specs as mentioned.
-Jay-
Originally Posted by Steve Bryant
2. Get a picture of the rear of the cam that shows the part number of the cam. A number of people have been deceived that the cam they are buying is a specific aftermarket grind. Then a cam is shipped in the Comp/Crane/other aftermarket manufacturer's box. The cam inside is the stock cam out of the seller's vehicle.
Get a pic of the back end of the camshaft. Comp Cams engraves what the camshaft is along with a serial number on the back of the cam. I had bought a used G5X3 on here. It still had the numbers engraved on the back and so I called CC and they e-mailed me the complete cam card. Mine turned out to be a clone with the same lobe profiles ordered by another company...but I got to know exactly what I had. Haven't had any problems out of it and the previous owner of the cam just didn't know it was a clone as he had bought it used also.
Galen
Galen
I've resold both of my used cams so far. They still looked new when you took them out and no complaints so far.And I always shipped out my used cams in a Tube type container wrapped in buble wrap. Check their trader rating before you buy or ask around about somebody you aren't too sure about.
