Used cams

[TA63]

Im looking at a set of Andrews 37 gear drive cams. The lobes look good, and the price is right. Owner claims 5000 miles on the cams. Any issues with reusing these cams?

[Wide]

Some like them but I personally dont use used parts in motors

[arthureld]

If you do reuse them, you should at least sand off the shiny spots. The whole area that makes contact should be sanded with very fine emory cloth.
But like Wide, I wouldn't put used cams in a valuable Harley motor.

[wreckerman]

if they look good and the price is right use them , have built plenty of engines with nothing but used parts

[xxxflhrci]

I'd run them and not think a thing about it.

[TA63]

From working on cars, I know flat tappet cams needed new lifters if reused. Does this hold true for rollers? Should I swap out the lifters to be safe? Also, who has a fair price on the remaining parts I will need to complete this gear drive conversion.

[CoolMaker]

If the cams look good, use them, I would mic the lobes to make sure that there is no wear, however with roller tappets, do not sand the lobes of the cams. That was something we did in the old flat tappet days, and it did not work good back then. Depending on the mileage of the bike, if it is close to 20,000, replace the lifters with Harley "B" lifters. Most of the stuff you need can be shopped on the internet. J&P, and allot more are up there, shopping around will get you a better price.

[OldBikerGuy]

I can get you a good deal on some used Cranes. :P

[Heretic]

this is a crap shoot. using mics on a cam only tells you if lobe height is correct. it tells you nothing about ramp angle and radius.
If they look good, and you decide to use them, new lifters are mandatory. use very fine sand paper (1500-2000 grit) or emery cloth to clean the surface area of the cam lobes. the cam will not have the drag of the old flat tappet car cams, but imperfections in the surface will destroy lifters

[CoolMaker]

this is a crap shoot. using mics on a cam only tells you if lobe height is correct. it tells you nothing about ramp angle and radius.

However, it will tell if the lobes are worn..

If they look good, and you decide to use them, new lifters are mandatory. use very fine sand paper (1500-2000 grit) or emery cloth to clean the surface area of the cam lobes. the cam will not have the drag of the old flat tappet car cams, but imperfections in the surface will destroy lifters

Remember that the new roller cams have a hardened surface for the rollers and they do not recommend sanding it anymore.