Slightly damaged camshaft - Is it ok to use? Professional/Serious answers only please.

[Paul]

Only looking for answers off the members with the right knowledge. No spam in here please.

Can someone tell me if this camshaft is ok to use? My initial thought was a definate no, then looking at it, its not actually a lobe thats damaged, its just the locator that sits at the side.. that doesn't actually do anything?

Whats the opinions of the professionals?

Anyone without the knowledge/experience please don't bother posting.

http://i220.photobucket.com/albums/dd172/Paul_CGM/IMG_4771.jpg

[saxovtrmk1]

Im a mechanic so no about this scrap it and get a new one its damged there so might br cracked further along and break up eventually

[Paul]

It seems pretty solid, it is cast iron. But i understand what you're saying (due to the speed they rotate and heat).

I've asked a couple of local mechanics and they wasn't 100% sure. I'm hoping John from GMC, Kam or someone with a background in engine building will be able to throw 2p in.

[saxovtrmk1]

Yes trouble is it could appear solid but have small cracks and you dont want other bits breaking up and going into the oil upto you but i wouldnt wana risk it.

[b0t13]

i wouldnt risk it dude,

if like said above the metal has weakness' over time maybe 5k? it could shatter and youll have bits of hard metal destroy the inside of the engine flying around everywhere

[wolf_gsxr]

i wouldnt use it mate. that piece missing will effect the balence of the camshaft and could cause vibrations followed by the shaft snapping and then your engines goosed mate. is it a special shaft or something?

[Paul]

Cheers for advice people.

It's a catcam 708.

[wolf_gsxr]

oh was gonna say if its a standard one you can buy them for about a tenner so dont be tight but as its a proper one i forgive you. is it for an S mate?

[Paul]

Yep :)

[wolf_gsxr]

you can buy them seperatly cant you? or maby a gmc one as there cheaper and a very similar spec. dont think you'll find a second hand single cam tho..

[J222JRA]

Balance would defo be an issue imo.

[dannygti]

No, don't use it

[saxo-parts]

not so much a worry about balance or further damage but that ridge is designed to run against the bearing cap so the sharp edge would act like a lathe tool and eat into the aluminium, scrap it.

[KamRacing]

Its certainly not usable! I've got one damaged similarly and its being used as a paper weight. Was it you who called earlier about the single camshaft then??

[Paul]

Its certainly not usable! I've got one damaged similarly and its being used as a paper weight. Was it you who called earlier about the single camshaft then??

Yeah it was mate :)

Problem is iv sold them someone, guys wondering if they're still useable.

I've only sold them for 180 so I'll just refund him.

[adamskiTNR]

The problem with cast iron is that is extremely hard, but extremely brittle. if there are any penetrative cracks then the resonance of the engine and/or the now unbalanced camshaft could lead to further breakup. so no, scrap it

[KamRacing]

so who dropped it then? :(

[Tom5190]

Yea defiantly can't use that matey. Is it the exhaust or inlet? Can the guy you sold them too not just Get hold or the one?

[blackie_2k5]

not so much a worry about balance or further damage but that ridge is designed to run against the bearing cap so the sharp edge would act like a lathe tool and eat into the aluminium, scrap it.

wa going to say this, that would effect you well before any further damage to the shaft id have thought

all other points are still valid issues too

is it inlet or exhaust?

[axsaxoman]

cams are cast(cold chilled casting to make them hard) so that has had a serious shock to it to break that bit off --so time to bin it -you could never be certain it is not cracked internally .
yes you can buy a single cam --if you really want to but it not going to be half of a pair of cams -carriage etc iis same for one or two cams .

[Paul]

Thanks for replies everyone :y: