I bought a reground camshaft from Delta Camshafts in Tacoma, Washington. Pulled it out of box today to install and noticed the journals didnt look very good. One journal had a few nicks on the side. The other has 1 nick right in the center of the journal. These nicks are what i would consider deep. Is this normal? Does camshaft journal finish matter? Need to know if its ok to install or should I send it back. Thank for the help

Some minor defects are ok, but if they are deep enough or protrude, potentially they could upset the oil film and cause increased wear on the bearings or scoring. Id send it back.

i know this is kind of thread hijacking but this had been wandering around my head for quite some time now. if someone could help me with this i'd be grateful, and btw it is even on topic
so i purchased this used lt1 cam some while back to install into my L03. there is some visible scoring on the journals and the lobes look disgusting somehow as well.. i'd post some pics here:

http://img9.imageshack.us/img9/622/img0792ao8.jpg
(cam on top is a L69 flat tappet cam, bottom is the LT1)

http://img10.imageshack.us/img10/4166/img0793wh7.jpg
(top LT1, bottom L69)

what y'all think?
thanks in advance

If the question is "should I replace the cam?" There are 2 possible answers.

1. You really need to replace the cam.
2. You don't really need to replace the cam.

In either case, the consequence of going ahead and replacing it with a brand spanking new cam (not used, not reground) is that you will have to spend money but everything should work out fine.

If you don't replace it, you might get lucky and save the cost of a new cam. OR you might ruin your lifters, might send bits of metal through your oil system, might have to rip it all down again, might have your friends laugh at you, etc.

I would suggest if in doubt, just get another cam.

Thanks for the replys. I took the camshaft to my engine builder today. He said that because the camshaft was polished, that it was fine. The one spot that had me concerned the most was a small nick in the center of the cam journal. Machinist said it would be fine because the imperfection was below finish surface and that there wasnt anything that would cut the bearings. he said it wont affect oiling or oil pressure.

Just thought I would update. Talked to Scott at Delta Camshafts, I told him about the cam journals. He said the if the nicks were indented that it would be fine. I told him i was not comfortable installing that camshaft, he going to send me a different cam. He was very professional. Just thought I would give him props.