GU 2.8 Camshaft Destroyed

[PATmyROL]

Hey guys,
Just wondering if anyone has had any similar probs and any advice? Engine began making a deadened knocking noise and upon inspection it seemed as though the noise was coming from the air filter/intake and my first thought was a valve except that she was idling fine. Went straight to the workshop and my mechanic upon further inspection found that a shim had displaced and in turn both the shim and the coinciding section of the camshaft had deteriorated beyond repair. It was blocking an exhaust valve which caused the pressure to come back through the intake hence the location of the noise. The shim had worn through( imagine it being countersunk with a 25mm drill bit) and the section of camshaft rounded down. That seems to be the extent of the damage. Now 1 last problem we are having a hell of a time finding a replacement camshaft. My mechanic recommends a 2nd hand one so that's it's slightly worn in. If anyone has one or knows of someone that does it would be greatly appreciated. Also any tips or pointers would be great.
Melbourne area

Thanks
Mick

[Smokey2.8]

That's a strange thing to wrong on the old 2.8.
How many kms to you have on it? Has anyone done any work on the engine recently? Good luck with camshaft, should be hard to get a second hand one, plenty if RD2.8ETi's being wreaked.

Smokey

[krbrooking]

Not exactly sure if you can get them, but what about after market or getting one machined up it sometime is not much more than the factory part

[PATmyROL]

She's got 260k on the clock. Ended up going with a new camshaft because we were unable to find one 2nd hand. It was a strange thing to go wrong and the mechanic agrees saying it seems like a freak occurrence. All the damage was done in one day. It has had some head work done in the past and apart from the cam everything is in tip top condition.

Thanks for the replies

[Wine_maker]

Sometimes bad things are happens mate.
Are you sure that you found the background reason of this major damages?
You are right all the damage was done in one day. It is not normal when everything broken in one moment without any warnings (sounds etc).
May be the reason somewhere deeper? Low oil pressure, free play of crankshaft or etc.
IMHO.