Just bought a new purple cam from a member and don't think I can use it. It looks like it was rusted and then cleaned with a wire wheel. There are some small pits and I can feel that it is rough at some of the discolorations. I have always use new cams in the past and really don't want to risk this one with so much invested, but thought I would ask about it. Attached is a pic.

IMHO,go have a machine shop polish it and see if it is still in specs with a mic on each lobe.

would I risk it?..no.

Not worth the risk. Return it as its far from new in that condition.

My feelings too.

Thanks! CAC

sorry man, I'd send it back.

SEND IT BACK...

I'd use it except that there are much better cams out there. Or you could have it reground with a more modern profile.
R.

he told you that it was NEW ??? ... ...

Nice ....

I wouldn't run that , you could save it by having it reground , but by the time you pay for that it would have been cheaper to actually buy a new cam.

Did you get a picture of that sent to you ?

I've got a new in the box Olds W-30 cam from 1978 in the box and looks very similar. But I keep on putting the 455-in-a-65-Cutlass Supreme project farther and farther back on the burner. I still consider that cam new as it has never been in an engine. But I would have to say it had some surface rusting from sitting if I were trying to sell it. Some of the marks on cams like that are staining and you cannot feel them using the fingernail test.
Bullet Cams has some very nice lobes and their hydraulic flat tappet regrind price is something like $60. Find their Chrysler lifter lobes at http://bulletcams.com/Masters/HClobes.htm .

R.

Quote:

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I have always use new cams in the past and really don't want to risk this one with so much invested

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you answered your own question...and no one should have sold that cam as new, personally i wouldn't even sell it as used.

Isn't the contact area of the lifter really spread out over a wide area, and only critical at max lift? Doesn't seem like small pitting would make a difference unless it was over the entire width of lobe at the peak?

Having asked the above, unless it was a super deal, probably not worth the hassle of trying to clean it up.

If I may ask a dumb question...

Could something like that be blasted with say crushed walnut shells to make it usable? maybe prior to or after the wirebrushing?

Well for $60 I don't think a regrind is too much $.

As for the camshaft in question, unless it's a stock 440 6-pack cam the lobes are tapered so the lifter spends much of its time on one side of the lobe. Check wear patterns on a camshaft to see what I mean.

Send me the cam and I'll send you postage, how's that for a deal?

R.

Glass polish and a buffing wheel. That cam looks bad but is probably useable. When done coat the lobes and journels with wheel bearing grease

Aren't the faces of the lobes hardened? Is that a problem if he were to polish them with a fine grit paper? Just wondering sorry to offer more questions and no answers to the thread.

I had a similar problem on MP 474/280 cam because box got wet and I noticed 2 months later. Fortunatelly the big problems were just on front trace. I decided not to use it not just for that reason since definitelly it looks still useable. I went with Crower 282HDP because it looks a very similar cam but maybe more streeteable spceially with A/C due the 112 centerline and smaller intake duration at 0.050.

On the rusted area I just needed to get rid the rust filed edges, and it can be even helpfull somehow, storaging oil there