It's gone through the hardening, probably just due to wear. May have not been run in correctly if it's not that old, or you are getting coil bind on the valve springs. At a guess

yeah I'd say its pretty old, and it has double valve springs... nothing to worry about though?

well you would still replace it, but if it's quite old, i wouldn't be too worried about it current condition, just check clearances when you install a new camsaft and run it in correctly.

Mate... to me that porousity if ever I've seen it! Not only that whats that sus blue mark on the cam lobe.

If it were me that cam would be in the wheelie bin by now, just replace it now while the engine is pulled down to this state.

In my opinion its only going to bite you in arse later (how much later...not very much later)

I agree with lemonhead get a new camshaft.

Quote:

I thought you "lumpied" up a cam by removing material from the low side of the lobe rather than welding more material to the high side.
The porous effect is possibly just the average metal under the hardened stuff that you can see has worn off.

My 2 cents would be to replace as this lobe could be on it's last legs.

yeah I agree with replacing it, I just wouldn't be too concerned about what caused it as it happens sometimes. Just do all the right checks when you put a new camsaft in.

You can tell this cam has been ground by the tuning markes where the piece between the lobes has been relieved to allow more material to be removed from the heel.
Throw it as far away as you can, it's carnal knowledged.

make sure you throw it away and also replace the valve lifters or you will damage your new cam
Bob

Old? What's age got to do with it? My camshaft is 33 years old and not worn out.

Remember that a new camshaft must be properly run in. See your cam grinder's instructions, or a repair manual. The typical advice is this:Quote:

Quote:
Age shall not weary them,
nor the years condemn,
but at the going down of the sun,
you should remember this.

You should send this cam to a far far better place, before it does itself a real injury, & you find yourself removing the engine yet again so as to replace this part that should have been replaced right now.

It looks like you have cought this one just in time.

thanks guys you've changed my mind I'm now going to put the 5spd in with the a12 for now and replace the cam if not rebuild the a14.

can anyone suggest a good cam/brand of cam to suit a worked a14 on webers?


oh and for anyone planning a t50 conversion, make sure you enlargen the tunnel before putting it in. The damn thing is so long its hard to insert and remove when attached to an engine, and now i gotta pull it again and attack the tunnel... not happy