New (but older) cam with .007 run out on center bearing journal?? ?

[Cranky]

You would think someone used this thing for a ______ (fill in the blank). Anyone have any luck with straightening a cast iron cam? It's only a .430 lift so no big loss if I shouldn't do it. I have a lathe and don't mind pushing on it with the cross slide but will it stay straight once it's heated up? I've done a few that were only .003 or .004 out but never one that was .007

 

[snakeoil24]

its not worth it. if it hair line cracks we know when your going to see the result.

 

[66Satellite47]

You would think someone used this thing for a ______ (fill in the blank). Anyone have any luck with straightening a cast iron cam? It's only a .430 lift so no big loss if I shouldn't do it. I have a lathe and don't mind pushing on it with the cross slide but will it stay straight once it's heated up? I've done a few that were only .003 or .004 out but never one that was .007

I doubt you can straighten cast/ductile iron. Heating would really screw it up IMO.

 

[Cranky]

I've heard of people straightening them using a set of V-blocks and an air hammer with a rounded off V shaped chisel on the low side. And I would assume that cams are not made of ductile iron.....

 

[not so famous bob]

I've heard of people straightening them using a set of V-blocks and an air hammer with a rounded off V shaped chisel on the low side. And I would assume that cams are not made of ductile iron.....

I wouldn`t a cast one one.

 

[AR67GTX]

Is it a new cam? I guess returning it is out of the question?

 

[747mopar]

You said it's new, why not return it?

 

[Cranky]

Is it a new cam? I guess returning it is out of the question?

You said it's new, why not return it?

This cam has been on the shelf in my shop for probably over 30 years or better. Just been going through and getting rid of everything that I'm sure I will never use. This cam was tagged with a note on it of what it is and having run out. Btw, I changed the title to make things more clear....sorry.

 

[miller]

Not particularly a camshaft, but I have had pretty good results, using a dead blow, or brass hammer. Just depended on what I was straightening. Sure don't want any heat on it. You'd be surprised how easy some of that stuff will bend.

 

[66Satellite47]

I've heard of people straightening them using a set of V-blocks and an air hammer with a rounded off V shaped chisel on the low side. And I would assume that cams are not made of ductile iron.....

If it's plain cast iron, sure seems like it would crack right away.

 

[bm02tj]

A cam grinder I know did it with air hammer
so give it a shot

 

[moper]

They can bend just from shipping and .007" isn't much. I'd bet a lot of "why are my cam bearings soo tight?" posts are really from a bent cam and nobody checked it.
If you can isolate the exact spot where it's bent, bend it back. A soft mallet might be enough, but an air hammer with the power turned down will work better, and support either side of the bend with V blocks. As bad as it sounds it's not that big of a deal. If you can't tell exactly where it's bent, get a new one. The last thing you want is to have one that's out in multiple directions.

 

[toolmanmike]

You can try to straighten it but could you trust it? I would toss it. Cams aren't really that expensive.

 

[Cranky]

They can bend just from shipping and .007" isn't much. I'd bet a lot of "why are my cam bearings soo tight?" posts are really from a bent cam and nobody checked it.
If you can isolate the exact spot where it's bent, bend it back. A soft mallet might be enough, but an air hammer with the power turned down will work better, and support either side of the bend with V blocks. As bad as it sounds it's not that big of a deal. If you can't tell exactly where it's bent, get a new one. The last thing you want is to have one that's out in multiple directions.

A buddy of mine installed cam bearings with one of those 'universal' cam bearing tools and he has had a lot of problems with tight cams...even ones that were on size and true. I made a cam bearing tool and that mess went away. I think the universal tool lets the bearing shell collapse a bit. Yeah, you get that occasional block that's not true but man, he was having problems with every build.

You can try to straighten it but could you trust it? I would toss it. Cams aren't really that expensive.

I probably will toss it since it's 'only' a .430 lift.....got to thinking it's not really worth messing with. Anyone want a free cam to mess with?