clean up camshaft

[ninety1gt]

i recently bought an e303 camshaft with what the guy said 200 miles. it has little rust and was wondering if this will affect the engine, how can i clean it up? i was thinking with some 3000gr sand paper and mothers polish. any help? will post pics if needed

 

[91 HATCH]

any pics and what are the numbers on the end of it

 

[samickguy15]

If it's just super light rust, don't worry about it. Hit it just enough to get the rough stuff off and stick it in. I wouldn't hit it with a polishing compound of any sort, only a clean rag.

 

[tmoss]

if you want to take the time, set up an electrolyte cell in a bucket that has a fair amount of baking soda in the water. Apply a battery charger - one side to the cam in the middle of the bucket, and one side to metal or foil draped insdie the side of the bucket. Let it sit for a few hours or a day (or more depending on the amount of rust) and it will be clean.

 

[PUNISHER RACING]

steel wool and wd40 or diesel fuel

 

[Foxfan88]

get some fine emery cloth, will polish it right up

 

[vristang]

If it were me???

ebay it (disclosing its condition)
and buy a NEW cam...

 

[Fast63]

steel wool and wd40 or diesel fuel

Mark me down for this one!

 

[65ShelbyClone]

If it were me???

ebay it (disclosing its condition)
and buy a NEW cam...

+1

Suppose you use a doctored-up cam and it takes out the lifters later. In the process of trying to save $150, you've just wrecked ~$300 in parts.

 

[oz]

If money is no object, replace it.

Before you install it, use a micrometer to make sure the lobes aren't worn. I bought an Edelbrock cam from a friend. He got it out of a 302 boat motor that had only been run a few hours. When I measured the lobes I realized that a couple of them were shot. They guy that had the boad before must not have broken in the cam correctly and fried a few lobes. I ended up buying a new one.

Assuming the lobes are in spec and not super pitted from the rust - super fine steel wool and WD40 sounds pretty good. I would not polish it, you just need to remove the surface rust.

 

[lang williams]

i've had good luck with the scuff pads or scotch bright pads an wd 40.