Cam lobe mishap.

[Guest]

So I was working on tappet clearances, trying to move shims around to reduce the number I need to purchase. I forgot to put a shim back into a bucket before turning the crank. The edges of the empty bucket shaved material from the edges of the cam lobe. About .75 mm on either edge of the lobe was affected. The lobe should still produce the same amount of lift right? It?s just the very edge. Or do I need to replace or have it machined? 82 GS550L BTW

 

[Big T]

Post up a picture of the damage

 

[Guest]

Will do in the morning

 

[chuck hahn]

Ive done that and had no issue running the cam. Others will say youve screwed the pooch but i myself would just move on.

 

[storm 64]

I agree with Chuck. Run it, It will find its home.

 

[Guest]

I think I agree, the only problem I can imagine would be faster wear on the lobe from reduced contact area with the shim. I reckon ill just fuhgeddaboudit

 

[Guest]

Personally, I would take a very fine file or maybe even a stone and drag it at a slight angle from the center of the lobe toward the edge. VERY lightly drag it, just enough to make sure there are no high spots.

 

[Guest]

Ooo good idea, the scraping could have raised an edge.

 

[Grimly]

So I was working on tappet clearances, trying to move shims around to reduce the number I need to purchase. I forgot to put a shim back into a bucket before turning the crank. The edges of the empty bucket shaved material from the edges of the cam lobe. About .75 mm on either edge of the lobe was affected. The lobe should still produce the same amount of lift right? It’s just the very edge. Or do I need to replace or have it machined? 82 GS550L BTW

Don't worry about it.
Just don't do it again.
If you need to turn the engine over when a shim's out, put a coin in its place.