Storing Cam Shafts for a Long Period of Time

[ACHTUNG]

I'm planning on storing a pair of cams for an indefinite amount of time in a non-climate controlled New England barn so these cams will be exposed to humidity, High temps, super low temps and everything in between.

How would you store a set of cams to prevent surface rust?

[Sagaris]

I would say to keep it in a tupperware bin full of oil

[kts]

Cosmoline

[CHIF8008]

also don't store them on there side without support under them. laying flat can actually have them droop down

[Teaguer]

Keep them covered in oil or a light grease to ward off any surface oxidation.

[nando]

spray them with a good coat of WD-40. It leaves a gummy residue when the solvents evaporate - great for rust protection. crummy as a lubricant.

why can't you hide them in a closet somewhere inside the house?

[ACHTUNG]

I would say to keep it in a tupperware bin full of oil

also don't store them on there side without support under them. laying flat can actually have them droop down

How does this method sound:

Get a 4" PVC Pipe and cut it to cam length (make two of these, one for each cam.) Cap one of the end of each pipe, put the cams in the pipes, fill pipes with cheap motor oil to submerge the cam then put a threaded cap on the open end and screw it shut. Store upright so they don't sag.

If this is a good idea, what would you use to cement the PVC fittings with? Just regular PVC primer and PVC cement? Will motor oil break the PVC cement down over time? I don't want these to start leaking 2 years later.

[acolella76]

Damn, what kind of cams are these that you are willing to store for god knows how long lol

PVC cement would probably be fine as would most other heavy duty stuff

[Julien]

i'd just coat them in motor oil and put them in a sealed bag

[slammin.e28]

I prefer to store mine in a head and use them.

[nando]

I would just use threaded end caps and teflon tape.

[Julien]

I prefer to store mine in a head and use them.

I prefer getting head and not caring about my camshaft :woowoo:

[ACHTUNG]

I prefer to store mine in a head and use them.

Yeah, I don't have any cams in my motor. I just cut the floor boards out and Fred Flintstone it around town.

[ACHTUNG]

I'm going to try the PVC pipe method with regular PVC cement and thread the top with teflon tape. I'll report back in a few years to let people know if it's still holding up.

[BillBrasky]

I'm going to try the PVC pipe method with regular PVC cement and thread the top with teflon tape. I'll report back in a few years to let people know if it's still holding up.

I always use the yellow gas line tape for any petroleum fluids. It will eat through the white tape over time.