About to send my engine components to the machine shop. I did the head disassembly and am questioning if the wear found on the cam caps is acceptable for reuse. Originally was just going to keep the cams/caps while the rest went to the shop. There seems to be some unusual pitting which I also have seen is a common defect that should not affect the integrity or function of the caps. Some seem pretty deep though. There is obvious wear especially towards the rear caps. The caps seem to see less wear as they move forwards. Why would this be? Included various pics of the intake and exhaust cams/caps. Are these acceptable for re-use? I don’t want to “eh it should work” anything on this build and would like to know that the parts going into it are at least solid, and any mistakes will be attributed to my own inabilities.











the build includes:
flyin Miata’s weisco ceramic top pistons 9:1 84mm
Manley H beams
Boundary pump upgraded relief valve
Ati damper
turbo kit leaning towards a kraken kit with EFR 6258 or 6758
building for moderate to high boost aiming for 350 +/- 25 whp

 

Those cams look just ok, and the caps look fairly trashed. Will it run fine? Almost definitely.

If it’s just a BP05 head I’d look for a better one, they’re still pretty cheap. The cam caps can be recut/bored, but it’s very labor intensive and expensive if you can even find a machinist willing and able to do the job. Certainly not worth it on a Miata motor. I’d say look for a better option, maybe upgrade to a bp4w while you’re at it.

 

Are the cam journals and cam journal bores clean and look ok? pass fingernail test?

could plastigauge it.

id run it.

*sloppymechanics member

 

2000 grit rubbed by an index finger to polish off any rough high spots, then use cam assembly lube on all caps and jounals and send it. And remember that the word is polish, not resurface.