Storing a Cam

[Tiggie]

Anyone got any ideas for storing my HO cam? I won't be using it for several months. Would regular grease be okay to put on it, or should I get a big Ziploc and put some oil in there.

It's got a tiny bit of surface rust starting on the bearing surfaces. Any ideas on how to get that off without ruining the cam? (1500 or 2000 grit sandpaper maybe)?

[Nathan in MI]

My dad has had a crankshaft stored in a very damp room for probably 15-20 years with just some oil on it and it has zero rust. I'd say just coat the lobes with grease, put it in a box if you have one, store it somewhere that it's not gonna get stuff dropped on it or whatever, and call it good.

[turbo2256b]

Chain saw bar lube works the best then rap it in a trash bag or plastic wrap.

[1987cp]

A Ziploc bag sounds pretty smart. I have my extra cams stored in cam bags I got from the local machinist with just a little engine oil and a good spritz of WD-40. For the surface rust, I'd take it to the machine shop and ask if they can buff it out.

[p71towny]

000 brass wool might clean it up without damage.

[mrltd]

steel wool or a scotchbrite with some oil/wd40. Storing I would use thick oil, and wrap it well. The chain lube would work great because of the thickness and it's made to stick.

[DuceAnAHalf]

cosmoline

oil, grease, or tranny fluid. inside a garbage bag. then we put them inside cardboard tubes to protect them.

[85crownHPP]

isn't there a special kind of paper to wrap metal parts in, to keep moisture away somehow?

[1987cp]

isn't there a special kind of paper to wrap metal parts in, to keep moisture away somehow?

You're right, there is - I received an oil cooler wrapped in the stuff. Can't remember what it's called, though.

[Tiggie]

Thanks for the input guys. I got some chain saw lube at the house I'll probably smother it in, bag it, and then stick it in a tube with the ends sealed off.