I have a set of crower 403 cams that I was hoping to run on my LS setup, but I have discovered that one of them has a small scratch on the cam gear end.

The scratch is not very deep, but I can feel it with my finger.

Here is a very crappy picture. I apologize for my cheapness when buying my digital camera



Any suggestions/info would be greatly appreciated. Thank you!

 

if im not mistaken, you can have it micropolished. bump, cuz im curious.

 

::: bump :::

 

try changing yuoir camera from FAR object to CLOSE object. I bet there is a switch you dont know about.

 

You're probably correct. . . I need to figure this thing out. . . was trying to cover flash with my finger

<---- loser

I'll fiddle with it when I get off work (in 12 hours)

If I take this to a local machine shop and have them micropolish the scratch out to the best of their ability. . . do you think it will be a problem.

The part that is scratched looks to sit right under the end cam cap on the timing belt side.

 

dont worry about it, but if you do wanna worry, just take it and have it polished. no big deal.

 

Would it matter since its not on a lobe?
I dont thinkit would matter at all, but I could be wrong.

 

Starting to feel better already. . .

Anyone else?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by itr206 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Would it matter since its not on a lobe?
I dont thinkit would matter at all, but I could be wrong. </TD></TR></TABLE>

I was thinking the same thing

 

i wouldnt run that cam unless you plan on buying a new head in the near future, any scratch like that will tear up the cam journals which could lead to seizing up the head etc etc etc

take it to a machine shop and see what they say, but i def wouldnt run it with a scratch you can feel

brian

 

ewwwww. . .

If I do get the scratch micropolished out. . . will that end of the cam be "out of balance" so to speak. . .and smaller? Would it then have play on that end. . . causing premature wear also?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by DragSource &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">ewwwww. . .

If I do get the scratch micropolished out. . . will that end of the cam be "out of balance" so to speak. . .and smaller? Would it then have play on that end. . . causing premature wear also?</TD></TR></TABLE>

if thats the case, then for good measure, when you take it to have it micropolished, have them do both ends to match the counterweight so everything is in balance.

EDIT: actually, if a machine shop does mircopolish each end to "keep in balance", would that process take off enough surface material to have the journals not properly fit anymore?

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Thurman Merman &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">

if thats the case, then for good measure, when you take it to have it micropolished, have them do both ends to match the counterweight so everything is in balance.

EDIT: actually, if a machine shop does mircopolish each end to "keep in balance", would that process take off enough surface material to have the journals not properly fit anymore?</TD></TR></TABLE>

That is exactly what I was wondering

 

Which way does the cam rotate? Does it spin along its long axis or twirl around like a baton? If yours does the latter then I would be worried more about that than the balance of the cam

Seriously though, get it micropolished. They don't really remove much material at all then plastigauge the journal after the polish to make sure oil clearances are right.

And use the little flower (macro) setting on your digicam for up close pix

 

So if micropolishing doesn't get the scratch completely out, and there is still a slight mar in the cam, am I hosed?

Or is it in a non-critical area. I'll have to inspect it more closely this evening, but it may not sit directly under the cap where there's only a thin layer of oil separating metal from metal.

I'm at work and having a memory lapse. . . but does the cam cap on the timing belt side of the motor have a hollow spot on the underside?

 

If I could see the scratch I could tell more. It is probably ok to run after micropolishing even if the scratch can still be felt. It will store a little exra oil in it.

 

run it, most of you could take your cams out after youve been running them this long and look at the timing gear end and it will be all worn looking, and youll be like woah, but the cam doesnt do **** except spin and it doesnt have any slinging motions, that scratch wont hurt anything, just polish it and run it.

 

Done deal. I will run it.

I will take a better pic tonite for you guys. That one above is a joke - sorry.

I downloaded the instruction manual to my camera today while at work, and read through it. . . I think I can handle it now

 

You'll be alright. Just polish it up a lil and make sure it's smooth.

 

I'll never get the hang of the digi

The flower is on. . .flash is off. . . I suck

As it turns out, after getting home and checking it out - the scratch is not on a surface that appears to touch anything. The spot it's on doesn't look like it will create friction with any other parts.

I'm going to have it micropolished anyways, for sanity reasons. (I don't want to be paranoid about it when the build is FINALLY done)

Thanks for the input and suggestions guys

 

"i wouldnt run that cam unless you plan on buying a new head in the near future, any scratch like that will tear up the cam journals which could lead to seizing up the head etc etc etc
take it to a machine shop and see what they say, but i def wouldnt run it with a scratch you can feel"

that exacty thing happened to me, my cam just locked up and would not spin for **** and locked my head up. so needless to say im in the market for a new head and some cams, i would be VERY cautious about running it. and if you take it to a machine shop, make sure they know about hondas cause I BELIEVE a lot of v8 heads have like bearings for their cam or cams.

 

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by turbodohcsi &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
that exacty thing happened to me, my cam just locked up and would not spin for **** and locked my head up. so needless to say im in the market for a new head and some cams, i would be VERY cautious about running it. and if you take it to a machine shop, make sure they know about hondas cause I BELIEVE a lot of v8 heads have like bearings for their cam or cams.</TD></TR></TABLE>

I think I'm going to end up allright on this one.

The cam cap on the end is kinda hollow. It just so happens that the scratch resides perfectly in the "void" of the cam cap.

Crossing my fingers anyways. . . I just can't bring myself to buy another set of 403's.

 

as long as you polish it so that there are NO raised areas above the surface diameter of the journal, there is NOTHING to cause anything to sieze. The deeper part of the scratch becomes nothing but an oil channel.

 

That's good to know!

I can sleep now

All I'm missing for my build is the bottom end.

Working overtime saving up $2000 or so to send your direction earl. Been having to spend $ on the house to keep the old lady happy. . . my turn .

 

Having trouble seeing the pic properly, but is the spot you're seeing the scratch where the cam seal rides?