Cummins N14+ cam shaft.

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Camshaft proper maintenance is changing the oil. Unless you are having problems with it, such as the cam lobes worn and not providing enough lift or cam is broken, then there is no need for replacement.

 

Sounds about right. I would save up for a replacement though if you need to. That way you'll be prepared for the cost hit and time off. If the ticking gets worse find a good time to stop work and have it replaced, because, the roller and cam will wear out a little faster seeing as they are worn now. But, really it's just a waiting game. Make as much as you can, while you can.

 

Well I might actually consider fixing it now personally then. Its one of those things that might last ten more years or ten days, but since you didn't get to see it you really can't guesstimate something like that. But the mechanic is probably right about running the overhead and letting it roll.

 

I'm also the type of person to let my Mack have a leaking headgasket for a few months before I replaced it, just this week

 

Those cams are not like a flat tappet lifter in an automobile many people relate to. They are roller lifters. The outer surface on the roller and the cam are hardened. Some times they have straight line wear caused by a grain of sand or from someone using an abrasive disc on gaskets. That is not desirable but long gone and not a problem.
When they start going bad they flake the hardened surface off the roller or cam. That transfers to its mate.
When was the last time the overhead was adjusted? Might not hurt to have it rechecked anyway.
Do an old sample.

 

Good to know, I knew they were roller lifters, but, I did not realize that the surface would flake away instead of just wearing. Flat tappet cams are also hardened as are the tappets.