NOS B cam on Ebay

[Duffy1]

Thanks James and Pete.

 

[James Rogers]

The cam in discussion is copper plated BETWEEN the lobes and everywhere it is not machined.
This is to keep those areas from being carburized when the rest of the cam is.
Not all Ford cams were carburized. Some were induction heat treated. These are not copper plated because the induction heating process is localized over the lobes and journals only.
Each method works equally well.
Induction heat treating is usually used more for high production because the process is much faster but the equipment is more expensive.

Thanks Pete for that explanation. I had heard of the process but didn't know how it worked and knew the copper color was part of it.

 

[H. L. Chauvin]

Nothing new -- ebay is always a gamble -- gambling decisions usually depends on how much one is able to lose & still smile.

Bought one similar, maybe 8 years ago on ebay, with similar ad for NOS & similar photo in which the obvious "coloration" made it appear to be used.

Not many bid on it -- got it & placed it in two (2) wood vees, checked all lobes with a dial micrometer -- compared to new B cam specifications, it had been used, (can't remember how much), but drive gear & journals looked good.

When asked prior to bidding, this seller said he bought it at a swap meet & was "told" it was new & came out of the attic of an old Ford Dealership -- it could have been bought & re-sold as such many times at swap meets; hence the last seller was probably only reporting what he was "told".

Learned a lesson, called & ordered a new cam from Mr. Bill Stipe the next day, & never looked back -- after witnessing the performance he reported, I was glad I called him.