Cam question

[equate975]

So, I took my valve cover off today to check the cams. I'm still tryin to figure out why my engine doesn't like to run after the battery loses power. Long story short I was just checking to see if someone stuck cams in this and I didn't know it.

This is what I find



That was on the intake side, the exhaust side looks better, but upon a closer look you can see the same thing, just barely noticeable.

What happened? I know nothing of cams.

[PiercedE30]

Almost looks like the casting mark.

[nando]

looks fine to me. not sure what you are on about?

[equate975]

looks fine to me. not sure what you are on about?

The gouges in it, is that just how they machine it to balance it?

[e30_kid89]

Hmmmm.... I seen that on both cams when i was pulling the head of this M50TU parts motor I have. I though it was for a wrench to "fine tune" and rotate each cam for timing purposes.

[abepark]

is it just the flash or does that cam look really beat on....if you look at the peak on the right cam lobe it looks scratched up....did u feel the lobes at all?

[nando]

is it just the flash or does that cam look really beat on....if you look at the peak on the right cam lobe it looks scratched up....did u feel the lobes at all?

you guys have never seen inside a motor before have you?

those "gouges" are just machining marks. nothing to worry about there.

as far as the cam lobes, they are fine. they look like they're barely used at all in fact - what you're seeing is where the cam and lifter have broken in together, it smoothens out around where there is the most pressure. if it were worn it would look much different.

[StereoInstaller1]

OK, so look at the lobe on this cam, see where the lifter has worn a 3/32nd groove (shaped like a lifter) in the surface?

That is fucked. Yours looks fine.

[equate975]

Ok cool thanks for the info.

I have never done any internal engine work before, so this sort of stuff is new to me.

[StereoInstaller1]

Ok cool thanks for the info.

I have never done any internal engine work before, so this sort of stuff is new to me.

Well, the M20 is about as simple as it gets, plus damn near everything fits well only one way, so it is hard to fuck up.

Don't be fearing the ridicule of posting dumb questions of something you are actually doing instead of just talking about it (like most of the pussies on R3V) because lots of us will have your back, yO!

Luke