your-real-dad

I got this rebuilt engine online, and one of the camshafts shows a lot of corrosion. (See pics) Or maybe a hard-baked film. I'm trying to clean it with acetone and a razor blade, with limited success. Is this a common condition for cams, or did someone just leave it out in the rain? And, will this just wear off with some run hours, or will it get worse?

MudHippy

If the lobes aren't scored or pitted real bad, I'd go ahead and run 'em. I'd imagine they'll shine themselves up nicely with a little usage. The base circles are less important. It looks like there might be some pitting on one of them. Not so much that I'd worry about it either. Just don't expect that to get any better.

I'm not wanting to call it a common condition for cams(that I've seen anyways). Not sure how they'd end up looking like that. But it looks like they could be a lot worse.

Oh...and if you decide you don't want them...I'll take 'em. I'm needing a spare pair right about now. I'll run those bad boys!

your-real-dad

Sorry, I have to send them back with the core to get my deposit back. Even these knuckleheads would probably notice if it was missing a camshaft. There is a tiny amount of pitting. I think I might steal the old one from my core, which looks great at 220k, and just swap them. But, then, I have to mess around with getting the shims right.. hmmm. Thanks for your good advice!