So... I was offered a new WebCam stock-grind camshaft and set of lifters for a pretty good price. The cam and lifters are new (never used, still in box), but picked up some surface rust while sitting on the shelf. The seller cleaned the rust off, and says there's no pitting just some discoloration on the surfaces where the rust was.

Would you use this cam and these lifters? Are these safe to use in a rebuilt engine? Or, would you pass on them and just buy brand-new parts?

I am slowly gathering parts to rebuild my 1.7 engine -- it doesn't need it now and probably won't for a long while, but will need it someday, eventually. I don't need to buy these parts now, but the price makes them worth considering. I just don't want to buy the parts and then find out down-the-road that they're no good or won't last very long.

For a budget build if it came off with say 1000grit it should be OK, one thing is it will have taken the parker coating off.
Stock cams didn't have this coating, but most aftermarket does, it helps lube with break in.

If you can see it pre purchse in person, it is probably a good risk. An automotive machine shop can polish it farther if you want.

Have a close look at the cam lobe tips to make sure this was not a cam that wore out then was replaced with another ( new box ) Also check end stamping, most cam makers mark theirs.

Unfortunately, the parts are too far away to see in person. That's why I'm asking here.

Reasonably certain the cam and lifters are exactly what the seller says they are, they just didn't get stored well.

The seller cleaned the rust off with a wire wheel. The "after" pics look pretty good, I just don't have any experience judging if these parts are still good or not (have rebuilt several engines, but always used new parts).

Before cleaning:
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Click to view attachment


After cleaning:
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I think I'd pass seeing how heavy some of that rust was..

100%

If you want to save some dollars, there are plenty of shops that can regrind your stock cam. I think WebCam does this as well. You can probably get a cam and lifters reground for less than that rusty POS.

Please don't buy that rusty trash.

Mark, wasn't Rusty Camshaft your dancer name in Santa Rosa?

The price for the parts is less than it would cost to have the stock cam and lifters reground. However, having these reground would end up costing more than just buying new.

Thanks for the advice!

Nope

Lifters , no good at all. When rust turns black it will flake off under high load leaving pits that will wear the cam.

Cam, it would have a chance but being sold at a distance makes personal inspection impossible. Most of it looks fine, the right hand journal is discolored but might be OK. This would be a good buggy cam since it would get limited use.

The seller did the right thing by posting pre and post clean up pics. Please commend him for his efforts.

Yep those are junk, I thought you meant just a little bit of flash rust.