2G How bad are these cams?

[ishnish]

Hey all, finally started working on my car after it sat for four years. I'm removing the head. When I removed the valve cover I saw that my exhaust side looked completely fine but my intake side not so much. Idk if it was because my car blew a little bit of white smoke before I stopped driving it or what. But either way, I am trying to fix that issue and from my understanding it's the valve stem seals. Anyway, my question is, how bad is the cam and will I be able to clean it and use it again or will I need a new cam? Here are some pics.

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[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Is that cam blue'd? If so it got hot. Either way, I don't think that will clean up. With all the different builds on here you may be able to find a stock replacement pretty cheap.

 

[ishnish]

No it's not blued that is just the reflection of the tarp I believe. Thanks for your input man.

Anyone have a stock intake cam?

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Tell us what year, a lot of upgrades leave stock cores just laying around like at my place .

 

[ishnish]

It's a 99 gsx sir

 

[livedsm4g63]

I have a set of stock NA cams...
But to everyone's point, most people just throw out their stock cams. Im sure you wont have a problem if you just pay someone for shipping....and a 30 pack
I would suggest running different ones since they have to come out for the valve stem seals.

 

[miliman13]

I'm the only one that thinks they will clean up nicely??

 

[ishnish]

I have a set of stock NA cams...
But to everyone's point, most people just throw out their stock cams. Im sure you wont have a problem if you just pay someone for shipping....and a 30 pack
I would suggest running different ones since they have to come out for the valve stem seals.

I currently don't have the funds to get another set of aftermarket cams since the money is going to rebuilding my head. Or else I definitely would run different ones =)

I'm the only one that thinks they will clean up nicely??

No you're not, I actually thought they could too after seeing past threads on other cams

 

[ishnish]

While I'm at it, I might as well ask: how the HECK do you get the CAS off of the intake cam? It's driving me insane

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[1990TSIAWDTALON]

I currently don't have the funds to get another set of aftermarket cams since the money is going to rebuilding my head. Or else I definitely would run different ones =)



No you're not, I actually thought they could too after seeing past threads on other cams

It wouldn't hurt to take some WD and some steel wool or scotchbrite pad and see what happens. We do have roller lifters so it's not like a flat tappet cam that RUBS on the lobe, ours roll over them. Give it a shot, worst thing is you wasted, what a half hour or so. I would try just to see what it looked like when I got done. The lobes need to be shiney and hopefully not pitted.

 

[ishnish]

Yes, my main concern is the pitting. Doesn't look so bad in person but I'll give it a shot. Would WD40 and steel wool be the best thing to use?

 

[miliman13]

Cooper wire wheel/brush.
Is good too.

Also see rust eliminator at parts store.
Grey bottle . Green liquid super good for stuff like this.

 

[ishnish]

Cooper wire wheel/brush.
Is good too.

Also see rust eliminator at parts store.
Grey bottle . Green liquid super good for stuff like this.

Thank you! Do you know the brand?

 

[1990TSIAWDTALON]

Yes, my main concern is the pitting. Doesn't look so bad in person but I'll give it a shot. Would WD40 and steel wool be the best thing to use?

Pitting is not a good thing but since our rollers go over them, they are little pockets of oil. I'd hate to say its ok but a little bit probably wouldn't hurt, depends on if you can feel anything with a fingernail.

 

[Tyeler18]

While I'm at it, I might as well ask: how the HECK do you get the CAS off of the intake cam? It's driving me insane

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Take the plate off the end of the sensor housing. There's a bolt behind it bolting the housing to the cam.

I wouldn't recommend running that cam either. I cant imagine it's going to clean up well enough to warrant using.

 

[ishnish]

I think I've come to the conclusion that they won't work. I finally noticed some pitting as I tried to take a closer look. This is the worst of it:

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[ishnish]

You can see where they actually dig in in the dark parts in the center of the first photograph and another look at the lobe next to it on the second photo

 

[ishnish]

Take the plate off the end of the sensor housing. There's a bolt behind it bolting the housing to the cam.

I wouldn't recommend running that cam either. I cant imagine it's going to clean up well enough to warrant using.

I actually ended up getting it thank you!