Stuart wrote:
>
> It is always risky to do this, since the bottom of a new lifter is
> "Parkerized,"  i.e., hardened, and somewhat rough.  Two Parkerized
> surfaces wear into each other during break in, but one (two in the
> Vanagon's case) rubbing against a cam lobe whose hardening has worn
> through will eat it fast, as you have found out.  The hardened layer is
> only a few thou thick.
>
> You might as well go the whole nine yards now and rebuild the bottom
> half, or get a complete rebuilt engine and use this for a core.
>
> Stuart

Stuart
The stock OEM camshaft is induction hardened and is as hard in the
center as it is on the surface after market cams are parkerized and
depends on the lifter to work harden the surface of the lobe I have an
article on cams at my web page
Bob Donalds
http://www.bostonengine.com