Camshaft Bearing Caps Scored Up

[TurboWeenie]

I took my camshafts out today to find that the bearing caps and where the cams rest in the head were rough and scored up. The cams look ok, but the aluminum head and caps do not. For the recorded, the head is a remanufactured one that the previous owner had installed about 15,000 miles ago. I'm wondering if they might not have cleaned the head out very well when it was put on, and some shavings were left in there.
What else could have caused this? More importantly, what can I do to mend the damage?
Thanks
-Ryan

 

[GrimJack]

Chances are this is perfectly normal. Every set I've seen to date looks scored. As long as they turn properly, it's never been a problem.

 

[TurboWeenie]

Chances are this is perfectly normal. Every set I've seen to date looks scored. As long as they turn properly, it's never been a problem.

My cam caps and journals feel pretty rough to the touch. I can see irregular scratches and scoring in them, and in a few places it looks like there are some metal deposits, shavings perhaps. Does this still sound normal? The camshafts turn ok, but I wonder if they are turning as easy as they ought to. Any insight is appreciated.
-Ryan

 

[starscream5000]

The cam caps had a layer of soft babit-like material on them when new. This wears down over time. Light scoring is normal, check the tolerances per TSRM spec to see if everything is still in tolerable ranges. If not, you will have to have them resized most likely.

Rodknock also kills these suckers quick too, which may be the reason yours are scored bad (according to you). Plastigauge them and report back.

 

[IJ.]

Macro pics please?

SS5: The Cam has the babbit coating

 

[starscream5000]

Doh, backwords

 

[IJ.]

Doh, backwords

Backwards even

 

[starscream5000]

er... STFU

 

[jdub]

LOL!!!!

(Tough crowd) :biglaugh:

 

[IJ.]

er... STFU please

Remember manners are important

 

[starscream5000]

Oops, sorry :bowdown:

I don't want any pwnage like the animals get around abouts where you live

 

[TurboWeenie]

Will hopefully have some pics up by tonight.
-Ryan

 

[TurboWeenie]

All pictures are off the intake side, where the scoring was the worst. The scoring was also worse towards the front of the cams.
-Ryan

 

[IJ.]

Ryan: That's the WORST case I've seen that motor has had a filter go into bypass and flow a LOT of shit through it

 

[JustAnotherVictim]

That looks worse than mine.
And I had sand in my engine!

 

[Tim]

I have had a lot of motors apart, and I have never seen cam caps with scoring that bad:aigo: Did that motor make noise? Have you checked your rod and main bearings?

 

[Kai]

IJ - if you have scoring that bad - can you weld the cams up and grind them down to spec again so as to save them?

Same goes for the heads - as in, weld them, then line bore?

 

[Tim]

1jz solves all problems:naughty:

 

[IJ.]

Kai: You could but it would cost a fortune as the head has to be stripped of all ferrous parts welded straightened line bored/honed reheat treated then all new guides and seats fitted then surfaced.

It's a huge job and a new bare casting is cheaper.
(ask me how I know this)

 

[Kai]

Aaah i see. What about the cam on its own then?

Just asking as i'm intrigued as to what measures are feasable on buggered heads...this is one of the first DOHC heads i've ever had, previously its either been Ford CVH, VW 8v or Ford OHV Cologne/Essex V6's