CAMSHAFT Rebuild / Cam Shop is Hesitant - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

dcotant · #1 01-10-2006, 04:05 PM

I have a camshaft with a worn lobe. I contacted a Cam shop in Minnesota (Berrry CAM Services) and was told that they have had some problems welding on Mercedes cams and were not certain they would want to do it. Anyone hear anything about this? Anyone know of a proven cam shop that has done Mercedes cams? Thanks.

mbdoc · #2 01-10-2006, 05:09 PM

Have had several MB cams repaired by Reed Cams here in the Atlanta area.

t walgamuth · #3 01-11-2006, 07:52 AM

why repair and not replace?

tom w

dcotant · #4 01-12-2006, 05:53 PM

cost, CAM from Mercedes is like $600

t walgamuth · #5 01-12-2006, 06:10 PM

280 se? cant you find any used? it doesn't seem like they would wear out that often.

tom w

Strife · #6 01-13-2006, 01:41 AM

I didn't know that this was possible - does anyone have any experience with this? I suppose that a cam with the top chroming ground off, some weld metal built up on it, reground to shape, rehardened(?) and chromed MIGHT be as good as new...interesting...

t walgamuth · #7 01-13-2006, 08:43 AM

is feasible. and i recently had a discussion about the 'chroming'. i believe it is actually not chromed but hardened, which i suppose is done in an oven of some type.

tom w

autozen · #8 01-13-2006, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by t walgamuth

280 se? cant you find any used? it doesn't seem like they would wear out that often.

tom w

I highly agree with Tom's suggestion. There just has to be a good supply of used out there. The last cam I had to deal with was about 3 years ago when I did a valve job on a 560SEC. After bolting up the right bank head, the cam wouldn't turn. Don't ask me why or how, but the cam was warped. I installed a used cam. During the 70s MB had a high cam failure rate with all the diesels and the front lobes on right bank of the 4.5 engines. MB corrected the diesel problem by provided a modified cam and rocker set. They never came up with an answer for the V8s. We had moderate failures on the gas six cyls like yours. I tried the rebuilt cam route and went back to new or used, because of two problems with the rebuilts. Often the welded lobes fell off and the reground cams were extremely noisy. If you want to search for used, it is simple. Look at the back of your cam. There are two #s stamped there. That is cam #. If memory serves me it should be something like 02, or 08, or 05.

dcotant · #9 01-13-2006, 12:17 PM

Yep 1969 280SE (that is SOHC). There has been one half of a DOHC for 280 on EBay for a while that is just making me crazy.

Thanks everyone who responded, the reason i started looking at cam repair is because i could not find a used CAM anywhere, and another ShopForum user said, "Why not repair". Well i didn't even know this was possible, but they were saying $100-$200 which seemed reasonable. This was a while ago, well now the head is pulled so i am ready to do something / anything. I would go $300 for the cam but cannot/should not spend too much more than that. I recently found a new cam for $470 finally so i guess i probably should just swallow hard and spend the dough.

I wouldn't entertain a u-pull-em cause the head has to come off to get this cam out (since it comes out through the back).

autozen · #10 01-13-2006, 12:36 PM

#1 What is wrong with your cam?

#2 The head does not have to come off. Pull the valve cover. Undo the bolt that holds the cam gear on. With a small hammer keep tapping on the gear til it slides off the cam. Remove the head bolts that hold the cam towers in place. Remove the 13 mm nuts that hold the towers down. Lift cam and tower assy off.

mbdoc · #11 01-13-2006, 12:53 PM

For a quality repair TRY www.reedcams.com !