Guideline For Reusable Parts And Salvage Operations

Visual INspection of Camshaft and Rocker Arm Rollers Used in 3406E Engines

Media Number -SEBF8256-01 Publication Date -11/04/2000 Date Updated -20/12/2001

   

Visual INspection of Camshaft and Rocker Arm Rollers

Used in 3406E Engines
SMCS - 1209; 1210

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SEBF8256-01
April 2000
SMCS Codes: 1209, 1210

GUIDELINE FOR
REUSABLE PARTS
AND SALVAGE
OPERATIONS
Visual Inspection of
Camshafts and Rocker Arm Rollers
Used in 3406E Engines

Summary of Revisions

Page Description

All Revised Format.

Contents
Introduction 01

Summary 02

Nomenclature 02

Visual Inspection 03

Cleaning 03

Polishing 03

Camshaft 04

Micropitting 04

Normal Contact Patterns 05

Rocker Arm Rollers 06

Oil Hole Alignment 06

Heavy Pitting 07

Circumferential Scratches 07

Storage Procedures 08

 
Introduction
This Guideline enables dealers and their customers to benefit from cost reductions
made possible through an established parts reusability and salvage program. Every
effort has been made to provide the most current and relevant information known to
Caterpillar Inc. Since the Company makes ongoing changes and improvements to its
products, this Guideline must be used with the latest technical information available
from Caterpillar to ensure such changes and improvements are incorporated where
applicable.

For questions or additional information concerning this Guideline, contact Caterpillar

Service Support Division, Dealer Support (309) 675-5487.
 
Summary
The information given in this Guideline applies to the 3406E Engine. The Guideline
provides photos for visual inspection and recommendations to show the difference
between a reusable camshaft or rocker arm roller and one that cannot be reused. If this
Guideline shows a camshaft or rocker arm roller cannot be reused, it should be
replaced.

During the operation of any engine, each rocker arm roller will wear to a specific fit with the
camshaft lobe it runs against. At the point of contact, each roller and lobe has a similar wear
pattern (design).

NOTICE

Never use a camshaft or rocker arm

roller that this Guideline shows cannot
be used again. Using worn or damaged
parts can result in more extensive
engine damage.

A camshaft or rocker arm roller that meets the visual specifications found in this Guideline can
be expected to give normal performance until the next overhaul when used again in the same
application.

NOTICE

It is recommended that used rocker arm

rollers be installed in their original
locations during reassembly. If they are
not, the difference in wear patterns can
result in a faster rate of wear or in
failure.

 
Nomenclature
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Illustration 1

Camshaft nomenclature. See Chart A for description of reference items.

Chart A.
Camshaft Nomenclature

Item Description

1 Nose

2 Ramp

3 Base circle

4 Bearing journal

5 Tapered lobe

6 Flat lobe

 
Visual Inspection
Prior to removing the camshaft from the engine, look for any clear signs of heavy or
extensive damage that cannot be corrected by reconditioning. Replace any component
with extensive damage.

The camshaft must be cleaned before any visual inspection can be done. Polishing may
also be required to determine if the camshaft is reusable.
Cleaning
If the camshaft has been removed from the engine, look for any clear signs of damage
that cannot be corrected by reconditioning.

Clean the camshaft with a high pressure wash, steam, solvent, vapor degreaser, or caustic bath
and rinse.

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Use all cleaning solutions and solvents

with care. Wear ear and eye protection
whenever using high pressure cleaning
equipment. Always use cleaning
solvents in a well-ventilated area.
Always wear protective clothing when
using a caustic cleaning solution.

After cleaning the camshaft, visually inspect each camshaft lobe for damage. If the
camshaft will not be inspected immediately (less than one hour after it is cleaned), put a
layer of engine oil on the journals and lobes to prevent corrosion.

Any camshaft lobe containing corrosive damage (rust), minor debris damage
(indentations), or fatigue pitting needs to be polished before determining reusability. See
"Polishing" for additional information.

Polishing
The procedures, materials, and equipment required to polish camshafts are identical to
those required to polish crankshafts. Refer to Guideline For Reusable Parts, SEBF8042
"Procedure to Polish Crankshafts", for polishing information.

Camshaft
Micropitting

Illustrations 2 through 5 show deep micropitting in the roller path. Deep micropitting is
an unacceptable condition in any camshaft and if present, the camshaft should be
replaced.

Always use proper lighting conditions when inspecting camshafts to determine

reusability.

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Illustration 2

Micropitting (deep) on valve lobe.

Do not use again

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Illustration 3
Micropitting (severe) on valve lobe.

Do not use again

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Illustration 4

Micropitting (deep) on injector lobe.

Do not use again

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Illustration 5

Micropitting (deep) on injector lobe.

Do not use again

Normal Contact Patterns

Illustrations 6 through 8 show normal wear patterns where the roller follower contacts
the camshaft. These shiny areas are acceptable for a camshaft. During visual
inspection, make sure every lobe of the camshaft is thoroughly checked. One lobe of a
camshaft may be damaged, making the entire camshaft unusable.
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Illustration 6

Normal wear (shiny area) on valve lobes (7) and injector lobe (8).

Use again

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Illustration 7

Valve lobes (7) show normal contact area.

Use again
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Illustration 8

Injector lobe (8) shows signs of normal contact.

Use again

Rocker Arm Rollers

1. Generally, used rocker arm rollers can be used again with a new camshaft. For
best results, install used roller followers in their original locations.
2. A new rocker arm roller can also be installed on a used camshaft, if the camshaft
meets reusability guidelines.
3. If replacement of a camshaft is the result of damage to one or more of its lobes,
do not use the rocker arm rollers that operated against the damaged lobes.

Oil Hole Alignment

On new and used rocker arm rollers, make sure roller pin oil hole (9) and rocker arm oil
hole (10) are aligned (Illustration 9). Also make sure the oil hole in rocker arm bearing
(11) is aligned with the oil hole in the rocker arm (Illustration 10).

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Illustration 9

Align oil hole in rocker arm with oil hole in roller pin.

(9) Oil hole in roller pin.

(10) Oil hole in rocker arm.

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Illustration 10

Align oil hole in rocker arm bearing and rocker arm. (11) Oil hole in rocker arm bearing.

Heavy Pitting
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Illustration 11

Pitting or galling concentrated in one area of the roller.

Do not use again

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Illustration 12

Heavy pitting or galling across the entire width of the roller.

Do not use again

Circumferential Scratches
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Illustration 13

Rocker arm roller with light circumferential scratches called tracking.

Use again
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Illustration 14

Heavier scratches or tracking on the roller.

Use again

Storage Procedures
Proper protection of the camshaft from corrosion is very important. Corrosion will start in as
little as one hour after the camshaft has been cleaned. If the storage period is expected to be less
than three months, a layer of engine oil must be put on the complete camshaft. If a longer period
of storage is desired, apply rust inhibitor as recommended in Chart B. Complete instructions on
the application and removal of these materials are available from the manufacturers.

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Use all rust inhibitor products with care.

Follow manufacturer’s warnings for use,
storage, and cleanup of their product.
Always use solutions in a well ventilated
area and wear eye protection and
protective clothing.

Chart B.
Rust Inhibitor

Product Name Manufacturer

3 months to 1 year

Safecote A Daubert Chemical Company

1200 Jorie Blvd.
Oak Brook, IL 60521 USA

Rust Veto HWF E. F. Houghton & Company

303 West Lehigh Ave.
Philadelphia, PA 19133 USA

DW 7-6-T Detrex Chemical Industries, Inc.

P. O. Box 501 - TR
Detroit, MI 48232 USA

1 year to 2 years

PDRD Penetrant Sprayon Products, Inc.

Rust Preventative 26302 Jorie Blvd.
707 Bedford Heights, OH 44146 USA

Over 2 years

Nox - Rust 110 Daubert Chemical Company

1200 Jorie Blvd.
Oak Brook, IL 60521 USA
 

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