Rust on cams

[OblivioAssebit]

Not a newb but figured this is a good spot for a general question.

I had my cams covered in bags laying in a box in my garage while I finish my car. I had a water pipe break in my garage and didnt realize this box got wet. I went to move the box a few days later and noticed some rust spots... Do you think I can sand this down?

 

[99gst_racer]

Surface rust can be polished off, but I probably wouldn't mess with pitting. As common as factory camshafts are, I'd just buy cheap replacements if I were you.

 

[canonize-ryda]

Maybe use some wd-40 to help remove the rust. It will wipe right off if you put some elbow grease into it. i have 4 sets of cams like this. They seem to rust more than rust it self.

 

[Palmetto_TSi]

one of the ads right now on the site has a set of cams for $100. Maybe you can get em cheaper. I wouldn't try to use those with the rust on the bearing journals like that.

 

[OblivioAssebit]

If i'm going to spend $100 on cams ill just spend more and get some real cams.
I have a spare set but I dont know what kind of shape they are in ill have to look... if i can find them.

 

[Palmetto_TSi]

understood... Just wanted to throw it out there. Some folks don't wanna shell out anymore than they have to...

 

[OblivioAssebit]

Yeah, I'm build a custom turbo kit. Custom manifold and everything so I may as well do the cams. I just didnt want to have to do them now.

 

[Palmetto_TSi]

crap... those cams wouldn't work for you anyway... I keep forgetting there are 420a guys on here too.

Yeah, I know what you mean. I bought a car with no engine. I'm just trying to get it running so I can drive it, then build something meaner to put in later.

 

[Black'95]

You shouldn't have any issues getting surface rust off..... Or you could get em reground to whatever you want. Lol.

 

[Peterbeter]

Use some 00 steel wool. It will come right off. Just make sure the surface is smooth afterwards and not pitted.

 

[LiquidX]

If anything, take it to a machine shop to have the rust removed and then polished.

 

[ed1380]

wire brush wheel, but with a soft metal such as copper/bronze

 

[Diehardmitsu]

Rust will cause pitting that can't be polished out and sanding is out of the question. I suggest you get a good replacement cam

 

[Peterbeter]

Light rust will polish out with no pitting