How to clean camshafts?

[tdstuart]

Doing an engine rebuild...

I have comp cam stage 3 camshafts. Pretty sure they are just steel.
They have metal flakes on the outside as well as metal in the oil holes and front hole.

Any thoughts on a good way to clean them out? Spraying with break clean didn't do enough and I could still find pesky metal flakes.

Should I put them in some hot water with soap?

Thank you for any advice!

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[ice445]

80 grit sandpaper works for me.

Compressed air does wonders for stubborn flakes.

 

[tdstuart]

80 grit sandpaper works for me.

Compressed air does wonders for stubborn flakes.

I think the surface is fine. The cam journals are aluminum and they took most of the damage.

I would do compressed air but I don't have compressed air and the metal flakes are clinging on to assembly lube and oil haha.

 

[GregO]

Should I put them in some hot water with soap?

NO,

Try to locate a company with a Vapor Degreaser.
Back on the farm we’d use a large disposable aluminum cooking pan and either Diesel or Kerosene to wash parts. A compressor is mandatory for what you are trying to accomplish.

 

[ice445]

I think the surface is fine. The cam journals are aluminum and they took most of the damage.

I would do compressed air but I don't have compressed air and the metal flakes are clinging on to assembly lube and oil haha.

I was being 100% sarcastic with the sandpaper comment haha

 

[Dana Pants]

I would do compressed air but I don't have compressed air and the metal flakes are clinging on to assembly lube and oil haha.

This sounds like a great excuse to get an air compressor.

 

[tdstuart]

I was being 100% sarcastic with the sandpaper comment haha

Haha 80 grit did sound very rough. I ended up sanding to cam caps to 3000. Hopefully it works out…

 

[tdstuart]

NO,

Try to locate a company with a Vapor Degreaser.
Back on the farm we’d use a large disposable aluminum cooking pan and either Diesel or Kerosene to wash parts. A compressor is mandatory for what you are trying to accomplish.

What’s the reason not to?

And my dealership might have a vapor degreaser. I’ll have to check.

If not I think I do have a compressor. Maybe spray with a shit ton of brake clean and wipe down to get the lube and oils off and then use compressed air?

 

[fmc_smt]

Throw them in the dishwasher for a cycle . Your mom might kick your ass , but it will be a good starting point to get them clean .

 

[Rapid Red]

This sounds like a great excuse to get an air compressor.

Man the Karen's are out & up early this morning

 

[tdstuart]

Throw them in the dishwasher for a cycle . Your mom might kick your ass , but it will be a good starting point to get them clean .

Gonna be tasting some assembly lube in the cups haha.

I’ll see if my dealership has the vapor degreaser. I’m pretty sure we do and I’ll be able to use it today.

 

[GregO]

What’s the reason not to?

And my dealership might have a vapor degreaser. I’ll have to check.

If not I think I do have a compressor. Maybe spray with a shit ton of brake clean and wipe down to get the lube and oils off and then use compressed air?

Water and ferrous metals = Rust especially if you don’t have a compressor to blast out and force dry every single water droplet.
You’ve mentioned Brake Clean a few times. It’s just not my personal choice for cutting down oil film and contaminants. Heck I’d use gasoline before dropping money on a case of aerosol Brake Clean.

 

[fmc_smt]

When you get to work , ask the trans guys how they get there parts cleaned . You guys should have a parts washer there

 

[Optimum Performance]

I was being 100% sarcastic with the sandpaper comment haha

Unfortunately not all of the audience would know that LOL. Billy Godbold would have a stroke if he read that, with all the money invested by Comp on surface finishes.

 

[tdstuart]

Unfortunately not all of the audience would know that LOL. Billy Godbold would have a stroke if he read that, with all the money invested by Comp on surface finishes.

I was going to take some sandpaper to them too haha. But way higher grit. But the cams look really good.

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