To grind or not to grind?

[tito911s]

Forgive the title, but I couldn't resist.

Rebuilding 3.2L 1984 engine and got it down to the bottom end. Reason for rebuild?
Had a significant cylinder to case leak (probably from nasty RTV, etc.), and even worse, significant blow by on cylinder 6. Tore things down to short block, and then decided to go down the case.

Sent out camshafts to Webcams and turns out they reground the my very SAME camshafts in 2000! I could tell that someone had been into the engine once, but this gives a little more history/timeline for the engine. Good.

However, the cams were reground to 964 profile and, when I sent them, had a little pitting on two lobes.

Now, I'm faced with decision. To regrind the camshafts before rebuilding the engine or to leave a little pitting on two lobes. It's a $575 decision, so thought I would consult my favorite group of Porsche experts before proceeding. Interestingly to regrind to stock is about $1000. But based on everything I read, there is no reason to do that and the 964 grind provides a little kick, anyway.

Thanks all in advance.

[OffCamber00]

I can only offer you my own experience.

I have an Elgin 964 grind in my 3.2L and am extremely happy. However, in order to take advantage of what those cams offer, I swapped out valve springs, retainers and rod bolts with more robust units. I am also running a custom chip because I upgraded to headers.

I actually bought a set of used 964 cams and when i got them there was some slight pitting. I was strongly advised to regrind them so they were fresh. It cost me an additional $700 on top of the price of the cams. I was not very happy but here we are. I am very happy w/my build.

[gtc]

Grind them. Once they have started pitting, it's only going to get worse.

[john walker's workshop]

New webcams on new billets would be my preference. Reface and rebush rockers.

[tito911s]

Confirmed my gut. Thanks guys.

[tobluforu]

While you are way in there, might as well go for broke. Now, if you have an engine with over head cams then I would slap them in if they are slightly pitted and see how it runs. I just added some slightly pitted cams to another car I have and she runs like a top, but if there were issues then its a 2 hour job to replace.

[Cory M]

FYI - a regrind from Dougherty Racing Cams is significantly cheaper than the price you listed above from Web and the turn around time will likely be much shorter as well. You might try giving them a call. I wouldn't reassemble with the old pitted cams.

[tito911s]

Originally Posted by Cory M

FYI - a regrind from Dougherty Racing Cams is significantly cheaper than the price you listed above from Web and the turn around time will likely be much shorter as well. You might try giving them a call. I wouldn't reassemble with the old pitted cams.

Thanks Cory. Wish I had done this due diligence earlier, but already sent down the cams.

The stuff most of us can't do (machine work, cams, etc.) other than purchasing parts, which I don't discuss out of respect for our host, can be tough.

Pelican should consider having suggested/authorized/recommended vendors.

[911pcars]

"Pelican should consider having suggested/authorized/recommended vendors."

How would Pelican vet all the possible sources out there?

This forum allows users to share good info. Biased (paid) recommendations are soon revealed.

Sherwood