smokey 0 Posted February 28, 2008 Hiya guys So as i'm still taking this Mi16 engine apart and cleaning it ready for the rebuild, i noticed that there was some slight rust on the Cams. I gave these to SW Customs in Chippenham and they wanted £50 to polish them. I decided not to go with them and ask on here. Can you remove light rust with scotchbrite and some whitespirit or do they need to be properly polished by a professional? Here are some pictures on them Also if i decided to get some 2nd hand ones (I saw someone selling some in the for sale section) would this be ok? Or is it better to use the original cams that come with the engine? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Owain1602 0 Posted February 28, 2008 Its hard to say from the pictures but it looks like it might have gone through the surface hardening depth but its difficult to say without looking at them properly Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smokey 0 Posted February 28, 2008 Its hard to say from the pictures but it looks like it might have gone through the surface hardening depth but its difficult to say without looking at them properly Ok so if it has i take it they are no good?! If i can get some 2nd hand ones from a Mi16 which are in good condition could i use those or is it better to use the same cams that came with the head? Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sandy 191 Posted February 29, 2008 I would agree with Owain, I would be looking for some others really. You've got nothing to lose in that case though, so try some emery tape (around 320 grit) with lots of WD40. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Miles 331 1 Cars Posted February 29, 2008 Did they come out of the engine like that? if so I would start checking the engine over personally as you might find more issues Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sloppy 0 Posted February 29, 2008 the far right on the second p[ics also looks scored to me. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy Seize 8 Posted February 29, 2008 Just have a go at them! I had a similar problem with a BX i bought a while ago. It was an unfinished project and the former owner had left the car standing without a valvecover. The cams looked pretty much as yours do. I tackled them with chromepolish and the finest scotch-pads available (the grey stuff). The result was an as-new finish and I´ve been using the cams without any issue ever since. If the surface is pitted though, you might have to have the cams refurbished (which is not that expensive) or go for another set of second-hand ones. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smokey 0 Posted February 29, 2008 (edited) Wicked thanks for the replies guys. Miles - They did come out of the engine like that, but the head had been in a garage and the rocker cover was not on properly. I'm completly stripping the whole engine and looking it over. The rest of the head looks ok, some of the tappets are stiff but i'm coing to have a go at re setting them. I got the engine off Gavtrials I'll have a go with some scotchbrite then. Where can you get the gray stuff? I've got Green which is pretty course. I have been offered some mint 2nd hand ones on here for £40 posted. So i guess if they are too pitted i can get those. I was worried about using 2nd hand ones on the engine, but no one seems to have said i can't so i guess i can. Thanks Edited February 29, 2008 by smokey Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petert 601 Posted February 29, 2008 They're perfect for regrinding! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smokey 0 Posted February 29, 2008 They're perfect for regrinding! Ah Peter thought you might have said that. You do this dont you? To be honest this is my 1st Mi16 so i'm sure i'll be happy with the power it gives me as standard. I was quoted £50 to just have them polished!! I tired looking on your website last night but it was down?! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
petert 601 Posted February 29, 2008 I tired looking on your website last night but it was down?! Yes it was, but all ok now. Once the metal off you can't put it back (easily). If the noses are badly corroded, they'll destroy themselves and the buckets quickly. The base circle doesn't matter too much. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lagonda 42 Posted February 29, 2008 Best to try the Scotchbrite first & see how they look then. There will be pitting but you might well find it's very minor. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Emmy Seize 8 Posted February 29, 2008 I used scotch pads out off the bodyshop. It is used to flatten paint on spot repairs for example, where sandpaper would be to coarse or would clog up too easy. There are at least two variants, one red and one grey. The grey one is the finer one, roughly being the equivalent of 2000 grade paper. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smokey 0 Posted March 1, 2008 Cool thanks guys Well i had a go last night and i managed to remove all the rust. However with it all gone on closer inspection these were the 2 worst spots left on the cams. It is very small but my flatmate seems to think its still enough to cause a problem Cam 1 Cam 2 Cam1 looks to be worst where you can see a small pit. The other looks to have maybe a bit of a pit or just discolouration for where the rust was. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
