Old Engine: Rusted CAMs - WTF

voiddweller · 09-23-2005, 02:48 PM

Hi,

Here are some pics from a highport I just purchased to replace my lowport. It looks like there is rust on the CAMs. What do I clean it with or should they just be replaced?

Thanks!

Harris · 09-23-2005, 02:51 PM

If there is no rust on the cam lobes, you don't need to sweat it. It does look like someone wasn't turning the crank over to keep the valvetrain lubed while it sat there for however long it did.

voiddweller · 09-23-2005, 02:55 PM

Thanks for the reply. If you look at the top row, third from the left, it's pretty rusted...

evilsr20degg · 09-23-2005, 04:47 PM

Send that hit back to whoever you bought it from and make them opay shipping thats complete bullsh*t.

Xse-rX · 09-23-2005, 04:52 PM

it could have sat for a while and just oxidized. it looks like light surrface rust, just hit it with some scotch brite

voiddweller · 09-23-2005, 07:13 PM

Thanks for the info. I picked up a Scotch buffing wheel for for a drill (it says that it's made for light rust) to buff it out.

I'm trying to pull the CAMs off and I don't seem to have an open end wrench big enough to get around the camshaft. What size do I need?

Thanks!

honkeybizkit · 09-23-2005, 07:15 PM

Holy Oxidized Distribtor!

Crim · 09-23-2005, 07:28 PM

when you get the motor running, be sure to change out the oil pretty quick, don't want all that crap floating around thru the motor.

REDSENTRASE-L · 09-23-2005, 10:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voiddweller

Thanks for the info. I picked up a Scotch buffing wheel for for a drill (it says that it's made for light rust) to buff it out.

I'm trying to pull the CAMs off and I don't seem to have an open end wrench big enough to get around the camshaft. What size do I need?

Thanks!

A 1" wrench.

Jaketips42 · 09-24-2005, 12:58 AM

Don't even take the cams out. I ran into the same problem with cams sitting around. Put some oil on the lobes and wait about 10 minutes. After, use your finger and rub the oil into the rust. It will turn the oil reddish brown (rust). Wipe it off and repeat until it is all gone. I should have taken pics.

Cujo_se-r · 09-24-2005, 03:37 AM

Just throw in some S4's and call it a day.

Jaketips42 · 09-24-2005, 09:09 AM

Sh*t, I'll take some S4s if you're handing em out..lol

LanceSR20 · 09-25-2005, 01:02 PM

this is a jdm motor... no one was trying to pull a fast one on you, alot of motors that come from japan are like this espically if the motor has been sitting for a while. you must understand that japan is a very humid place with salt water floating around in the air. i wouldnt sweat the rust too much. its just surface corrosion, i would leave them in there and then change the oil after start up.

voiddweller · 09-26-2005, 01:00 AM

Thanks for the suggestions. I decided to leave the CAMs in for now, but I loosend the CAM caps, so I guess I'll need an inch/lb torque wrench to tighten them back down.

Any suggestions on a decent torque wrench that won't break the bank? I'm thinking that this one at Harbor Freight should work fine.

Thanks!

sil80 · 09-26-2005, 07:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voiddweller

Thanks for the suggestions. I decided to leave the CAMs in for now, but I loosend the CAM caps, so I guess I'll need an inch/lb torque wrench to tighten them back down.

Any suggestions on a decent torque wrench that won't break the bank? I'm thinking that this one at Harbor Freight should work fine.

Thanks!

Looks fine if all you need is inch/lbs.

SuperblkStalion · 09-27-2005, 04:13 AM

just rub some oil on it and once you get it started change the oil. trust me it will be fine.

rowdy-GTi · 09-27-2005, 07:13 AM

If you do take the cams out a 1" spanner doesn`t always quite fit. I had to grind 1-2mm off the spanner.

swiss · 09-27-2005, 04:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by voiddweller

Thanks for the suggestions. I decided to leave the CAMs in for now, but I loosend the CAM caps, so I guess I'll need an inch/lb torque wrench to tighten them back down.

Any suggestions on a decent torque wrench that won't break the bank? I'm thinking that this one at Harbor Freight should work fine.

Thanks!

You probably already know this, but be sure to tighten those cam caps from the middle out one turn at a time.

Yahnozha · 09-27-2005, 07:08 PM

hell, if you already loosened the cam caps, might as well take the cam out and clean it properly. Block the chain and mark some links/teeth before you remove the cam.

SENTRASER · 09-28-2005, 02:18 AM

zip ties hold the chain on the cam sprokets.