Camshaft hardness

Status
Not open for further replies.
Joined
Apr 2, 2008
Messages
104
Country flag
Hi All, I have .003" worn away on my 4S cam, it is not pitted & they don't look flattened off, there are slight marks on the followers. As far as I know the engine has done 17k miles, if I run a file across the lobe it'll mark it, I thought it would skip over it due to the hardness but it must be ok as otherwise it wouldn't have lasted so long would it? (I am thinking out loud or rambling!) Would I get away with dressing the cam with an oilstone or is it shagged?

Thanks in advance, Paul.
 
Sounds like it is broken in nicely.
I believe that if you attempt to dress the cam, the followers will have to be reconditioned also (ground and polished). This may be a great example of "if it isn't broke, don't fix it".
Stay tuned and wait for others to chime in.
 
Sounds like it is shagged. These cams are case hardened, should be .005" plus thick, but doubtful in this commercial world.
Either get a new one or see if you can find a local engineering firm who could hardness check it for you.
You should not be able to get a file to dig into the surface, it should just skate over it.
Should be over 60HRC.
I am now going into my garage & test an old cam with a file, & take it to work tomorrow & hardness test it.
Post results tomorrow.
 
If its a chilled cast iron cam it will not be hard but is protected by the higher carbon content providing self lubrication, if it is chilled cast iron the sprocket nut will have only be tightened to 15/20 lbs as it is brittle. Mick Hemmings sells CCI cams.
 
57.5HRC on journals.
48HRC on base of cams.
Presume peaks of cam to be 57.5HRC, couldn't find a V block quick enoughto rest the cam in, as I was on my way home.
Another minute at work is another minute of wasted life.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top