Oddly enough I think I do know how a gasket works. The grooves would not suit a solid copper flat sheet head gasket - not all gaskets have rings around the various holes.
I don't have specialist knowledge - but making cams, buckets. followers etc. of nitrided 4140 is as good as any a method. A lot of the odd materials and manufacturing methods used by the car makers is to save money. Although not expensive for "one-offs" etc. - it is expensive if you are making...
Without researching on the internet etc. I seem to remember reading that some cars from the pre-1910 era like some Napiers and Rollers were started like this.
How does this fuel system work? - it doesn't seem to be a common rail type? Like an old diesel injector with a separate cam and piston for each cylinder?
A wise old cam grinder once told that there really was nothing better than nitrided 4140 for the cam and follower. But people do use...
What sort of "fuel pump cam" is this? Why does it need to be so tough? If you are using a roller tappet I don't think you will have much choice of material.
