[Vwdiesel] cams - turbo vs NA

[LBaird119 at aol.com]

In a message dated 12/9/03 5:25:20 PM Pacific Standard Time, 
dieseltdi at earthlink.net writes:

> Well I need to know if there is a difference in the camshafts between 
> the NA and turbo engines.  Lets just say that the one in the head now 
> has lost a piece of its tail piece where the locking mechanism goes.  
> Now don't laugh, I am sure I am not the only one to have tried to turn 
> the engine to set the timing without removing the cam lock..........  
> Anyway, any difference or can I just swap the oil one in.  In fact, as 
> long as I have removed all of the bits, can I still use the cam that it 
> in it?  thanks, Hayden
> 
> 

  I've encountered some that had half of that broken off, nearly all of it on 

one, they still ran just fine.  You just couldn't use the plate to time them 
anymore, you had to eyeball them.
  I wen't through this dilemma when I checked and found the lobes were 
worn down several thou on the Jetta.  Same part number!  :)  Cranks 
are technically different too but best I could find it was in the surface 
hardening of the journals.  If you once have one ground then it's really 
no different than a NA crank, except for the raised rather than indented 
part number or logo on it.
     Loren