cam / rocker wear, what is normal?

[Jordan325iC]

I am having my head milled at a local shop. He called me and told me that when he was re-assembling the head he noticed that my camshaft and rocker arms were scratched and worn. Not bad enough to make him think the car had been ran without oil, but bad enough that he had noticed. Indeed, they did show light scratching.

The head was rebuilt in '05, so it seems odd that these components would be showing wear so soon. The shop recommended that, "for optimum performance", I replace these parts. I guess I will go ahead and spend the $450 on this stuff unless you guys tell me differently. Opinions?

[xLibelle]

pictures help

[Madhatter]

km's done since?

[Danny]

Better safe than sorry?

[peerless]

Don't worry about it. $450 is a lot of money to spend to gain back marginal performance gains on a worn engine. I would save your money until your ready for a full engine rebuild.

Light scratching is fairly common. Dirty oil obviously. Another problem I see alot is pitted cam lobes and rockers. Its just normal wear over the years. Can't last forever.

As long as the cam lobes are not wiped, the it should be fine for normal service duty.

[Jordan325iC]

Don't worry about it. $450 is a lot of money to spend to gain back marginal performance gains on a worn engine. I would save your money until your ready for a full engine rebuild.

Light scratching is fairly common. Dirty oil obviously. Another problem I see alot is pitted cam lobes and rockers. Its just normal wear over the years. Can't last forever.

As long as the cam lobes are not wiped, the it should be fine for normal service duty.

I am doing a psuedo-rebuild on the bottom end. Just bearings, seals and o-rings.

[E30_fiend]

When the head was rebuilt back in 05, do you have an invoice or work order that states the work that was done? I have been witness to a head "rebuild" a few times before when they only replaced the major moving components. Valve springs, valves, valve guides, rocker eccentrics, seals and then resurfaced the head itself. They said that the cam and rockers weren't normal wearing items and that they would replace them for a by more. My friends have never had the camshaft replace on a rebuild so I don't see a problem with you leaving the camshaft and rockers as long as they aren't severely worn.




Taylor

[Jordan325iC]

I don't have any record. The head components look brand new, and there is a name (illegible) and a a date 8-31-05 scratched into the back of the head.

[dark89e30]

If you can see wear on these parts, they should be replaced especially if you are going through the trouble to have the head cut. I vote to replace the parts but you should at least take the head to a known good shop and get a second opinion. After all, that is free and you may learn a thing or two...

[Elliot]

Hey not to hi jack your thread but I have a brand new set of rockers and rockers shafts (Febi) for sale. My engine had a horrible noise from the valves and the mechanic told me to buy them. Long story short, my rockers and shaft are fine just needed extra adjustment due to my cam. I am looking to get 230 for everything (shipped).

I know, I mneed to change my mechanic or wait until I have time to do the job.

Elliot

[EtaSport]

They should be able to micropolish the lobes and rockers. I would just be sure to check the oil transfer line and fittings in the cylinder head. Make sure it is torqued correctly when installed, I was able to run 3 months with no cylinder head oil pressure before I destroyed a cam (dont ask me how).