Peugeot 205 GTi - Reusing bucket followers

[benlilly]

Hi Guy,

I'm midway through my engine rebuild (Peugeot 205GTi 1.9 8V) and today spent some time reassembling the cylinder head.

I have installed the valves, spring and retainers but not the solid 'bucket' followers.

I was wondering, does the surface of the followers require any honing before reuse? They seem in good condition with no scoring or visible heavy marks.

205 GTi cylinder head, part built.

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Cam followers

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Keep up the great work with the forum.

Kind regards,

Ben

[Guy Croft]

This the best thing to do: Give the cam contact face of the followers a light 'orbital' (round and round) polish by hand with oiled 1000 grade carborundun paper, holding the bucket upside down against a flat surface, and finish with fine grade Scotchbrite. Final clean with brake cleaner. I have done this successfully.

Any buckets where the hardening appears to be crazed (breaking up) - replace.

This does highlight one of the problems with buckets that don't have an inexpensive/replaceable tappet in the top.

GC

[benlilly]

Thanks very much.

Kind Regards,

Ben

[benlilly]

Hi Guy,

I polished the followers with 1000 grit as you suggested but one of the followers had some fine pitting (just about felt with finger nail) at its centre which required me to go down to 600 grit in order to remove it with final finsh at 1000 grit. This took some time, probably 40 minutes.

I presume the followers are hardened in some way. How thick is this hardened layer? Do you think the above is ok?

Edit: I'll check the cam associated with the pitted follower later.

Best Regards,

Ben

[Guy Croft]

Thick enough to allow that I'd say,

G

[benlilly]

Thanks for the help, Guy.

Head is now built, just the clearances to do.