Cam Question

Hey, I just bought a cam from a member on this board.. It has a nick on one of the round pieces in between the lobes like |---|---|---| the nick is on the "|".. will this affect the cam or damage anything? Other than that the cam is new.. It looks like a small error from the manufacturer

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Hey, I just bought a cam from a member on this board.. It has a nick on one of the round pieces in between the lobes like |---|---|---| the nick is on the "|".. will this affect the cam or damage anything? Other than that the cam is new.. It looks like a small error from the manufacturer

The nick is on the bearing journal(s) which support the cam. IMO, it depends on the size if it will cause a problem. Up to 1/8 inch long and not a wide gouge shouldn't be a deal-breaker. If it looks like it was hit by something sharp, it most likely can be fixed.

You DON'T want it to be an "outie" where it will dig into and destroy the cam berings. It needs to be an "innie". It also shouldn't be left with sharp edges at the bottom which can promote a crack. A little work with a round needle file to eliminate the sharpness, and then polishing the journal with the cam in a lathe should be good. I'd take the cam to a local engine builder for his opinion. Most could also do the rework.You might get the seller to contribute to the repair unless you caused the problem. :)

Disclaimer: I haven't seen the damage, so this is just an opinion of what I would do for minor damage on a used cam. If it looks like it was hit with a hammer and there is a flat spot or multiple visible cracks, it's not something you want to reuse.

FWIW, You may get more knowledgable replies here than on one of the other areas. They may not agree with my view, but don't be intimidated into not asking. Weigh all the replies. I have studied bovine scatology and spotting it isn't too difficult. ;)

So is there no way i can fix it?

its an innie... if i look on the side of the journal it looks like there is a small bubble or some sort of defect when it was made.. and its just a little gap on the top of the jornal not even a millimeter wide.. its not a used cam its new.. ill take some pictures of it can anyone host for me?

its an innie... if i look on the side of the journal it looks like there is a small bubble or some sort of defect when it was made.. and its just a little gap on the top of the jornal not even a millimeter wide.. its not a used cam its new.. ill take some pictures of it can anyone host for me?

Is is a cast cam? It will have a rough surface on the unground areas and there will probably be numbers or letters cast into some area between the lobes. If it's cast, it could be just a void in the casting. What company made the cam? It should have some ID on the end.

A billet cam will be machined all over and often be copper colored on all the unground areas. A billet cam shouldn't have any voids.

Its a cast cam its joe overtons Le1 cam.. A company called erson makes them for him im guessing because thats what box it came in

any other thoughts? can i use this cam or not?

To host the pics....
http://www.webshots.com/

Then link the pics here so we can see what's going on.

-Mindgame

thanks mindgame.. i hosted a picture of it here http://client.webshots.com/album/167223924TLxLpz thats the best shot i can get of it i circled the spot

That tiny spot isn't going to cause you any problems. Just make sure the area around the spot isn't high or it will score the bearing. A fine grit polishing stone is what I'd use. And just hit the area directly around the depression... not all the way across the journal. :)

Good luck.

-Mindgame

thanks man. should i sand the side of the journal or whatever you call it? or just the part that is already polished.. the depression is right there on the edge of it

Just the journal surface directly along the edge of the depression. Don't get carried away. If no polishing stones, then you'll want to use a fine emory cloth.... I'd go 1500 grit or finer.

-Mindgame

alright, thanks for your help man

Listen to Mindgame. Heed his advice. He speaks the truth!

Erson is a good cam manufacturer.


Good luck.