Tomei camshaft lobes dark spots

[timmy94]

Hi, 

 

I have a set of tomei procams thats been sitting in a new built engine for a few years on an engine stand. (Engine has never been running) 

what do you think about all the dark/black spots/dots on the lobes? Was about to install the engine but inspection was performed before installation. 
oil had been applied to the lobes, and there were still oil on them. Ive added oil to the cams a few times over the years. 
 

 

[joshuaho96]

Looks like a bit of passivated corrosion. Try to clean it gently with solvent and shop towels. Then oil it again before first crank. Then pull the oil pressure sensor and feed pressurized oil into the engine. Then unplug that and install a temporary mechanical oil pressure gauge and pull the EFI fuse. Crank the engine and verify it registers oil pressure. Let it sit for a few minutes and check sump level and adjust accordingly. Crank again without the EFI fuse. Then plug it back in and see how it goes. I would probably only run it for one heat cycle or less before draining the sump and oil filter to look for signs of mistakes. Stupid shit can break engines within 1000 miles so don't treat a rebuilt engine like OEM new break-in procedure.

[GTSBoy]

It's pitting corrosion. Iron gone, leaving carbon behind.

Should have been smothered in assembly lube, which is a good idea for its start-up lubrication benefits, but also is better at keeping moisture off the bare steel.

Probably just do as Josh said, but I'd bet there's nothing to be gained from the cleaning step.

You will have to be wondering what the bores look like too now.

[timmy94]

15 hours ago, GTSBoy said:

It's pitting corrosion. Iron gone, leaving carbon behind.

Should have been smothered in assembly lube, which is a good idea for its start-up lubrication benefits, but also is better at keeping moisture off the bare steel.

Probably just do as Josh said, but I'd bet there's nothing to be gained from the cleaning step.

You will have to be wondering what the bores look like too now.

Well, valve cover has been removed a few times and oil has been added to the cams so shouldnt been any corrosion.
Oil has been applied to the cylinders aswell so should be fine. But Will inspect before installation 

[GTSBoy]

56 minutes ago, timmy94 said:

Well, valve cover has been removed a few times and oil has been added to the cams so shouldnt been any corrosion.

Yes, well, the result tells you that that is not true.