Camshaft problem--am I screwed?

[oregonfanatic]

So I decided that adjusting the valves on my '90 FJ didn't look too hard.  I followed the manual and checked all the clearances.  Then, I pulled out the shims that needed changing.  My problem was that I turned the camshaft when the shims were not in the buckets, and the outside edges of all of the cam lobes got scratched/gouged by the buckets.  The middle of the lobe isn't really scratch up, though.  So, my question is what are my options?  Did I trash my camshafts or is there any hope?

Thanks,
Don

[ddlewis]

First time I checked/changed my shims I did the same on a couple exhaust side cams, thinking I would save time take 'em out and keep going to the next..   

put probably another 30-40k miles on it after that with no noticeable ill effects.  try to find the little shiny shaved off bits if you can.  magnet might help.

[DailyDriver]

Me too. Maybe we should start a club. 

That was 59,000 miles or so ago. Been doing it the right way since then.  No problems.

[SlowOldGuy]

Next time drop a quarter into the bucket before continuing on to the next valve.

That will avoid unwanted cam lobe to bucket contact.

DavidR.

[oregonfanatic]

Thanks for the replies and info.  It sounds like if I clean any of the little metal shavings out, I might be okay. 

Is there any risk of doing further damage to the engine by running it like it is?  I'd rather not have to replace the camshafts, but if I'm putting something at greater risk, then I'll bite the bullet.  Any thoughts?

Thanks,
Don

[Pat Conlon]

....the outside edges of all of the cam lobes got scratched/gouged by the buckets. 

Hey Don, do you need new cams or not?
I guess it depends on how they wear over the next year or so.... I have been told that the cams have a surface hardening and when you get below this layer of hard steel, you get into softer steel. If you, in your words "gouged" the cam face you *could* be in trouble.
I may have a different definition of the word gouged than you.
I would photograph (with a scale) the worst areas, put it together and run it.
Take the valve cover off in 1000 miles or so and look to see if things are getting worse. Cut open your oil filter and look for shavings.

I'm going on third party here-say, I have no direct experience with damaged cam faces....perhaps Randy, Andy or others can chime in?

If you have to replace your cams, *I think* you will need new cam bearings as your existing cam bearings will be machined to match your existing cams and you can not reuse your existing cam bearings with different cams. (true? y/n)
If you put in new cam bearings do you need to line bore the head?  (true? y/n) I know Randy line bored the the head on my rebuild. I recall he said about the stock bearing journals being misaligned....something like that....
If so, then it's just not a simple plug and play job of just slapping new cams into your head, because the head would have to be removed for line boring. Things are getting complicated....what started as a simple valve adjustment is getting serious.

Again, I'm just thinking out loud, some of our forum folks with far more experience should comment here...   I hope this helps.....Cheers!   Pat

[SlowOldGuy]

No cam bearings.  The cams run on the aluminum journals, or cam caps.

DavidR.

[racerrad8]

Get the valves adjusted and run it. The damage is on the edges of the lobes from the edge of the bucket. I have seen this many times and I normally do not replace cams because of it.

There are no cam bearings, it rides on the aluminum journal of the head.

I align hone the cam journal of rebuilds as they are not true after being heat cycled.

There is no hard face on the camshaft as it is the same material throughout, unless they are a Mega-cycle reground cam.

Like mentioned before, use a quarter as a suitable shim replacement while adjusting valves.

Like I said before, get the valves adjusted and start riding it.

Randy - RPM

[oregonfanatic]

Thanks for the great information, guys.  I will finish the valve adjustment and start riding!

Don

[Pat Conlon]

See? These guys know their stuff......