I got my LT1 cam off ebay months ago. When I first got it, it had some surface rust on it. I took some steal wool and cleaned it off, it was all smooth after that.

I rubbed motor oil on it and put it back in the box it was shipped in and put it under my dresser in my room. I got it to look at it today and it has a little surface rust on it again. I think it will clean off and be smooth again though.

My question is will this hurt anything as long as it feels smooth on all of the bearing jourals and the lobes after I clean it back off? I hope to get the dang thing into the motor this summer, but if I shouldn't use it I want time to plan another course of action.

 

If it cleans up with steel wool or scotch brite you should be alright. If it has any pits at all I wouldn't use it. a good machine shop could clean it up but you would have to use over sized bearings. It would be much simpler to get another cam off e-bay. It would save you money and a lot of unnessesary work.

Steve

 

shoot a bunch of WD-40 on it when you wanna store it and put it in plastic. that shoudl keep it good and clean.

later
tim

 

I think you'll be okay. I have my roller lifters from my Lo3 in a bucket of motor oil. I had a few extra quarts so I figured it couldn't hurt to just soak them in it. Then cover it with plastic, not a towel (don't ask).

 

I think it will be fine also. I have reused pited roller cams with no problems. Just clean it up the best you can.