Camshaft Needed

depami · 03-25-2026, 03:43 AM

Need exhaust cam for 86.5 NA. Anyone know where I can get one?

Bru · 03-31-2026, 02:35 PM

Also try the other forum. https://www.supraforums.com/forums/m...986-5-1992.13/

It's normal to have some scoring on the journals due to the soft metal. As long as the lobes and journals measure to spec, it should be serviceable.

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...aspx?S=EM&P=48

depami · 03-31-2026, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bru

Also try the other forum. https://www.supraforums.com/forums/m...986-5-1992.13/

It's normal to have some scoring on the journals due to the soft metal. As long as the lobes and journals measure to spec, it should be serviceable.

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...aspx?S=EM&P=48

Thanks, I don't have scoring but the distributor drive gear is trashed.

depami · 04-01-2026, 12:27 PM

Here's what happened:

After complete rebuilt, it wouldn't start.
Determined ignition timing was off and figured distributor was one tooth off.
Simple right, pull it out and put it back turned one tooth.
Well, the distributor wouldn't come out.
In trying to get distributor out, both distributor and cam gears got damaged.
It appears that distributor tail shaft galled in its' pocket in the head and held it in.
Why would that happen?
Did it not get assembly lube before installation and all the no start cranking was enough to gall it?
Is that pocket supposed to be lubed by an oil passage that got blocked?
I can't really see into it but the front of the head would suggest it might be fed by an oil passage.
I cannot blow air through it so either there is no passage or it is blocked.
I prefer not to pull the head if I don't have to because I'll need to buy another $200 MLS gasket.
First image is tail shaft pocket and second image is possible oil passage.
Anyone know if that pocket is supposed to be fed oil?

Thanks.

.

Bru · 04-02-2026, 12:54 AM

That's a pretty strange occurrence. I would expect the oil slopping around in there would lubricate it. If you have a borescope camera, you could take a peek in the socket. I would test fit the next distributor with the camshaft out to see how it's fitting. Grab the gear and move it up, down, left, right, to see if there is excessive play in the socket or distributor shaft. Here is a schematic of the oiling system from the online manual.

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar....aspx?S=LU&P=2

After you get the replacement camshaft installed, insert the distributor by the manual method. It should slide in or out without binding. Aim for the center of the bolt slot while inserting with the alignments set per the method.

http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...aspx?S=IG&P=17

depami · 04-02-2026, 02:41 AM

Thank you very much.

That is an interesting oiling diagram that I have never seen before. And by the looks of it, that pocket doesn't have a feed and must just be splash oiled.

I looked in the pocket with a bore scope and can't see an oil passage but there was some galling. I was able to hone in clean and a 10mm rod fits nicely but my replacement distributor has a bent shaft (see images).

I found another distributor and cam shaft 2 hours away and plan to go check them out in the next couple days.

.

Bru · 04-02-2026, 02:49 PM

It appears that there are differences between the early 86.5 to 88 and the later 89 to 92 distributors. Here are some reference photos.

86.5 to 88
http://japan-parts.eu/toyota/us/1987...tributor#19100

89 to 92
http://japan-parts.eu/toyota/us/1989...tributor#19100

I'm not sure if there are any differences in the head they were meant to go into.

depami · 04-02-2026, 02:55 PM

Thanks.

I noticed there are different styles. For sure the connector and rotor and who knows what else.

04-01-2026, 12:27 PM	#4
depami Intake Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cleveland, MN Posts: 32	Here's what happened: After complete rebuilt, it wouldn't start. Determined ignition timing was off and figured distributor was one tooth off. Simple right, pull it out and put it back turned one tooth. Well, the distributor wouldn't come out. In trying to get distributor out, both distributor and cam gears got damaged. It appears that distributor tail shaft galled in its' pocket in the head and held it in. Why would that happen? Did it not get assembly lube before installation and all the no start cranking was enough to gall it? Is that pocket supposed to be lubed by an oil passage that got blocked? I can't really see into it but the front of the head would suggest it might be fed by an oil passage. I cannot blow air through it so either there is no passage or it is blocked. I prefer not to pull the head if I don't have to because I'll need to buy another $200 MLS gasket. First image is tail shaft pocket and second image is possible oil passage. Anyone know if that pocket is supposed to be fed oil? Thanks. . Attached Thumbnails __________________ Denny 82 5 sp 928 - Guards Red 86.5 auto 928 - Meteor Metalic - No Rub Strips 86.5 5 sp Supra SR/SS - Amethyst 92 FlightCraft 18 XLT 94 1200 Sportster 01 F150 Last edited by depami; 04-01-2026 at 12:32 PM.

04-02-2026, 02:41 AM	#6
depami Intake Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cleveland, MN Posts: 32	Thank you very much. That is an interesting oiling diagram that I have never seen before. And by the looks of it, that pocket doesn't have a feed and must just be splash oiled. I looked in the pocket with a bore scope and can't see an oil passage but there was some galling. I was able to hone in clean and a 10mm rod fits nicely but my replacement distributor has a bent shaft (see images). I found another distributor and cam shaft 2 hours away and plan to go check them out in the next couple days. . Attached Thumbnails __________________ Denny 82 5 sp 928 - Guards Red 86.5 auto 928 - Meteor Metalic - No Rub Strips 86.5 5 sp Supra SR/SS - Amethyst 92 FlightCraft 18 XLT 94 1200 Sportster 01 F150

04-02-2026, 02:55 PM	#8
depami Intake Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cleveland, MN Posts: 32	Thanks. I noticed there are different styles. For sure the connector and rotor and who knows what else. __________________ Denny 82 5 sp 928 - Guards Red 86.5 auto 928 - Meteor Metalic - No Rub Strips 86.5 5 sp Supra SR/SS - Amethyst 92 FlightCraft 18 XLT 94 1200 Sportster 01 F150

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03-25-2026, 03:43 AM	#1
depami Intake Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Cleveland, MN Posts: 32	Camshaft Needed Need exhaust cam for 86.5 NA. Anyone know where I can get one? __________________ Denny 82 5 sp 928 - Guards Red 86.5 auto 928 - Meteor Metalic - No Rub Strips 86.5 5 sp Supra SR/SS - Amethyst 92 FlightCraft 18 XLT 94 1200 Sportster 01 F150

03-31-2026, 02:35 PM	#2
Bru Bone Stock w Upgrades ;-) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 226	Also try the other forum. https://www.supraforums.com/forums/m...986-5-1992.13/ It's normal to have some scoring on the journals due to the soft metal. As long as the lobes and journals measure to spec, it should be serviceable. http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...aspx?S=EM&P=48

04-02-2026, 12:54 AM	#5
Bru Bone Stock w Upgrades ;-) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 226	That's a pretty strange occurrence. I would expect the oil slopping around in there would lubricate it. If you have a borescope camera, you could take a peek in the socket. I would test fit the next distributor with the camshaft out to see how it's fitting. Grab the gear and move it up, down, left, right, to see if there is excessive play in the socket or distributor shaft. Here is a schematic of the oiling system from the online manual. http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar....aspx?S=LU&P=2 After you get the replacement camshaft installed, insert the distributor by the manual method. It should slide in or out without binding. Aim for the center of the bolt slot while inserting with the alignments set per the method. http://www.cygnusx1.net/Supra/Librar...aspx?S=IG&P=17

04-02-2026, 02:49 PM	#7
Bru Bone Stock w Upgrades ;-) Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tampa Bay Posts: 226	It appears that there are differences between the early 86.5 to 88 and the later 89 to 92 distributors. Here are some reference photos. 86.5 to 88 http://japan-parts.eu/toyota/us/1987...tributor#19100 89 to 92 http://japan-parts.eu/toyota/us/1989...tributor#19100 I'm not sure if there are any differences in the head they were meant to go into.