camshaft polish - info /what to expect

[steveo3002]

ive got a cam id like to use , unfortunetly its got a couple of minor marks i would prefer wasnt there

does that sound like a candidate for getting it polished at an engine shop? what do they do and what level of damage does it remove ?

if anyone knows a decent place in east anglia speak up

[stealthstylz]

Is the damage on the lobes or journals?

[steveo3002]

lobe has a tiny rust pit and theres a mark where the oil seal sat

[colnerov]

Hi, Camshafts are funny things, most of your engine power and characteristic come from it. Removing metal down to the level of the pit will reduce lift unless you do the same to the back of the cam and then you risk moving outside the scope of the tappet adjustment. So if there's good metal either side of the pit across the width then leave it alone, it will be alright. As for the oil seal mark you can either try putting the seal in a slightly place or fit a 'Speedisleeve', if it's not leaking don't worry about it.

Colin

[steveo3002]

was worried the pit would pick up on the tappet surface?

[welshpug]

which engine and what is the cam specification?

[steveo3002]

no idea on the specs , its just a polo gt cam from a mk2f , fairly hard to find in any better condition

[stealthstylz]

I'd just leave it as it is. Followers are only a couple of quid even if it marks one every 30,000 miles it's not a big job to swap them. Most used cams are marked where the oil seal runs, doesn't seem to affect them working.

[steveo3002]

yeah i guess so

just while its out id like to make it as nice as possible vs slinging it in

[slater]

Sounds like it's just nackered basically. I bet if you measured it properly you will find its more than just pitted. Probably worn alot too. You can't really do much with cams, source a new one/better one or grin and bare it.

[stealthstylz]

Kent Cams can reprofile them