yamaha6611

Found this doing the retainers, it's past the #5 cam cap, doesn't look new... no wear on the cams

Slowcrash_101

Doesn't look bad, that wear on the sides of the cam bearing surface is always there, that's the cam thrust surface, it's always scratched and scuffed up on every car I've seen. The cams are much stronger than the caps as the cams are made of steel, but again it looks fine to me. You can plasti-gauge it if you want, but it doesn't seem like there's any abnormal wear in there.

yamaha6611

awesome. i figured... but i didnt want to just take a guess, i know how these engines need to be in good shape for the whole thing not to fall apart, lol . Thanks!

Billman250

Doesn't look bad??

That cam journal is completely shredded. And it is not from wear, it is from drawing an improperly positioned camshaft down with the bolts.

That surface should be smooth as glass.

windhund116

Maybe tightened out of proper sequence? UGH!

yamaha6611

The 1st owner had the "top end redone" like 13 yrs ago.... when I did the retainers I found that the exhaust cam was one tooth off... it definitely made better power after I put it back together.


well, what do I do?! I'm about to put it back together, ovbiously I'm using the factory torque pattern...

windhund116

You could measure the end play of each camshaft. My service book says service limit = 0.30mm (0.012 inch). If it's beyond service limit, guess you'll be looking for a cylinder head.

Good luck!

Halfassjack

It actually looks pretty bad. Let someone see in person that is familiar with these motors. Wouldn't just let it ride.

Billman250

You may be ok. The surface does not retain any oil pressure, but if it is worn away it will allow the cams to shift around.

As long as the cam is not binding, check the end play (thrust).

Slowcrash_101

I've seen 3 engines look exactly like that, and they all run with no problems, the thrust surface on the cam caps gets scratched by the camshafts, it's the bearing surface that the cams ride on that's the critical part(and you don't want scratched up). There is no channel on the thrust surface of the camshafts to direct oil, that lip is only to locate the camshaft during installation(that's why the manual tells you to push the camshafts towards the back of the engine when you install them). If the cams experience any thrust during installation they will touch the cam cap surface and marr it(steel is much stronger than aluminum). To avoid this back out the rocker arm adjustment screws, or get a second set of hands to help you hold down the camshaft while you tighten the bolts. Once you install the cams turn the engine over by hand a few times to make sure there's no binding. Max camshaft end play .012", I doubt you'll see that, probably half of that if anything. Measure it if you want to be sure, but like I said, I don't think it's a big deal.