Used camshafts
 

There have been a few threads about camshafts lately, some of them concerning used camshafts. What should one do if they find a good used camshaft, either with no lifters or the originals mixed up? There has been some strong statements about NOT using new lifters on a used cam. I have to believe that random used lifters would be an even worse choice (maybe not?). It is starting to sound like a used camshaft, no matter how good shape it's in, is not a desirable item unless it comes with the original lifters matched to the proper lobes.

Re: Used camshafts
 

I almost posted a question yesterday asking what is it with new lifters on a used cam? If it's a mistake, I bet it happened a lot.

Re: Used camshafts
 

If you want to do it by the book the lifters get resurfaced and the cam gets polished.
Curious why a cam that checks out ok can´t be reused with a new set of lifters...

Re: Used camshafts
 

I don't know where that came from, but new lifters CAN be used with a used cam, as can resurfaced lifters. Also, good used lifters can be used with a used and new cam. Just don't use used lifters with a new or used cam, unles, they have an appropriate radius. Speaking my opinion, your entitled to disagree.

Re: Used camshafts
 

Nothing wrong with using a used camshaft. Have your machine shop inspect it and polish it. I have always put a used camshaft in my rebuilds with new lifters.

Re: Used camshafts
 

If I had a good used cam I would send it to a cam grinder Like Schneider and have the lobes checked for wear and let them Parkerize the cam and than put the new lifters in.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Re: Used camshafts
 

You can do anything you want.
You can run olive oil in your crankcase.
You can run 7up in your radiator.
You can run tap water in your battery.

You can mix new and used lifters on new and used cams.
The car will still run but it is not the best thing to do.
You might get away with it for a long time but at least 30% will fail early.(As noted from 65 years of watching it happen)
It has to do with wear in. You wouldn't lap a valve to one seat and then install it in another hole.

Another point, there is no such thing as "polishing" lobes in the real world. You can call it anything you want but the lobes are ground. The journals are polished.

Re: Used camshafts
 

This is a keeper, think I will save it to my collection of favorite sayings! :)

Re: Used camshafts
 

Pete is one of the guys you can depend on knowing his business.
Bruce

Re: Used camshafts
 

where can i get a good deal on olive oil?

Re: Used camshafts
 

==============================================


Don't let this guy know you're askin . :D:eek:

Re: Used camshafts
 

Boy, I don't know; I've been using tap water in batteries for over 50 years and never saw any ill effects. Now, in the days of Optima's, it's a moot point.

Re: Used camshafts
 

I just put a used cam that I had my machine shop clean and inspect in a 40 ford engine with new lifters. Guess it wont last.

Re: Used camshafts
 

Seth, I have to ask; how many camshaft failures have you had with your rebuilds? None, I'll bet. This site still is fun; you just have to become a little curmudgeon-proof.

Re: Used camshafts
 

Pete is a very knowledgeable guy (among many others on the Barn). There is a pattern of when someone with in-depth knowledge attempts to share a little a ton of people start posting how they have done whatever for years and it works just fine! We need to decided if we are interested in tapping in to the wealth of knowledge available or if the real question is "what is the most I can get by with until I cause major damage". There is an endless stream of stories about how someone has done such in such and got away with it. In my life I have seen some fairly unbelievable things done on and to car that people have "gotten away with". Some are outright dangerous and some are just damaging and some are just poor practice. Myself, when folks like Pete post, I pay attention!! And there are many others that post here that deserve the same respect from me at least. There is really no where on earth you can get the type of information and knowledge that is available here. But I am starting to notice some of these Barners are posting less and less, and it may have to do with the endless add-on post about how the information provided is wrong because I have gotten away with it for years. I know a lot of what people get a way with, I see it all the time. I for one am interested in what is the best approach from someone with the experience and knowledge. The next up on the list is if someone attempts to point out why a particular issue is important, they are arrogant because they do not see the benefit of half-assing something. I just hope the ones with the information to share hang in there. I love hearing from experienced posters and absorbing what little I can!

Re: Used camshafts
 

JS well said, one of the best posts for 2018 bar none. There is a vast amount of knowledge here to be had for free and some don't realize that. That is my 2¢ and there u go.

Ronnie

Re: Used camshafts
 

JS, I'm with you. I've been reading this forum long enough to recognize that there are a few here the know what they are talking about and I respect their knowledge and willingness to share with the rest of us. I could name some but I don't want to leave anyone out. I especially appreciate it when I'm told "why" it is right or wrong. I incorporate their knowledge to best of MY ability. Most of us don't put large numbers of miles on our cars and something "half-a$$ed" might not show up for as long as we live, but it might show up tomorrow. Why not do it the best you can? Maybe not perfect, but working on it.

Re: Used camshafts
 

X 2 JS from me just have ignore some posts. I learned that & I'm as old as Ol'Ron.

Re: Used camshafts
 

Well said.

Re: Used camshafts
 

x2!

Re: Used camshafts
 

Used cams and lifters is a crap shoot, However considering the light spring pressure on a stock cam, you'll probably be oK. Unfortunately, i the past I've had a cam failure because of this on a race engine. Tha was an expensive education.

Re: Used camshafts
 

I would like to thank "flatheadmurre" for his to the point response. I am kind of disappointed that "Pete" did not offer his advice on what to do in such a situation. The quatrain he posted is cute, but not very helpful.

Re: Used camshafts
 

Along the same lines, I often hear him offer as to how knowledgeable he is, along with his ability to point-out the shortcomings of others. MOST folks here are pretty open with help, advice and experience. DD

Re: Used camshafts
 

Pete said that his observations over 65 years in the business were that 30 percent of mixing used and new cams/lifters failed (paraphrased). It has to do with wear-in. So, sometimes it works and sometimes it doesn't. I take it from what he said his advice is not to mix them. Maybe you are questioning used cam AND used lifters. I think it is common knowledge not to re use lifters without resurfacing them. Reinstalling used lifters on the same lobe of the same used cam in a different engine could be risky because of how the cam sits in the engine (end play). I've PM'd Pete for advice and gotten timely responses from him. I think we are fortunate for having him contribute.

Re: Used camshafts
 

I didn't start this thread to find out what I shouldn't do. I was looking for some positive useful advice.

Re: Used camshafts
 

Olive oil is expensive......

Re: Used camshafts
 

Well, excuse me! You took offense at something not meant to be offensive. I'll stay out of your threads from now on.

Re: Used camshafts
 

Like others, I take Pete's advice as gospel on the cam subject.
He has ground cams for me and they have been excellent. I have never
used a used cam in any engine, only because I wanted something more than
stock re performance.
If I wanted to use a used cam, I think I would just send it to Pete, have him check
it out and do what he recommended. It is so expensive to build a good flathead
that to me, it's not worth taking a chance.
I have had an engine totally destroyed due to a set of bad lifters.
Just my opinion
Jim

Re: Used camshafts
 

Jim,

What size motor are you running that Eliminator in? Still happy with it?

I'm so tempted. I still have about 2 months to change cam choice on this build.

Re: Used camshafts
 

I have used a cam from a 351 into another engine and made a template of the lobes and all looked good got 40k mile and blow a piston.
When your cheap that's what you do.

Re: Used camshafts
 

My remark was not intended to "offend" anyone. I am just looking for "positive useful advice". Too many times, people respond to a thread without reading it completely. Please reread my original post; it is asking a specific question. As to some things being "common knowledge", I think the responses to this thread show that to be far from the truth, on this subject at least.

If you are "offended" by my remark, I apologize. I do however, recommend you develop a little thicker skin; you seem to be much too easily "offended".

Re: Used camshafts
 

Ok, I guess the thread has been derailed, but I suppose it boils down to this. As a private individual, you can just give it a go. Used cam, mismatched lifters. You weigh up the risk. As said it's a crap shoot. Like Ron said, stock cam, light spring pressures you may be all right. But a professional engine builder could never recommend that. He has to recommend something that will work 100% as it goes to the customer.

I've just fired up an engine with a good used 59A cam and the pick of my used French lifters. With the (notoriously) soft French valve springs I'm crossing my fingers and trusting that with just a little bit of luck it will be ok.

A professional or anyone building the motor for someone else can't afford to do that. Too risky. His name as a builder is at stake.

So wish me luck.

Mart.

Re: Used camshafts
 

Hi Guys. I haven,t punched keys in quite a while. I just want to say i been building Flatheads for 70 years and used alot of Cams. Pete has built cams for me for a long time and I love all of them. The Potvin 425 Eliminata in my dragster is awsome. I want to thank Pete for the cams he has ground for me. Walt

Re: Used camshafts
 

on that olive oil deal , Make sure it has a little zink in it ..

Re: Used camshafts
 

I think "Mart" hit the nail on the head. What we can do as "Hobbyists" gives us much wider choices than a pro builder can even consider. Also, some (maybe a lot) of us are on a limited budget and wouldn't be able to build an engine if we had to run out and buy new components and first class machining whenever we had to do something. Luckily for us, flatheads are forgiving enough that we can get by with this most of the time.

I think I now understand why "Pete" never gave a direct response; as a pro builder, I think he has to say "Don't do it!". He probably also remembers the old, low budget days when you either used marginal components or stayed home. Thus my question is essentially unanswerable for him. "Pete" has a great reputation and I am sure he would be the first guy I would go to if I needed a special cam and had the funds for it. Sadly, that's not the way it is in my world; I go with what I have and quite frankly, I have had quite a bit of success (or luck).

Which brings me to another point. I believe this is a forum for hobbyists and not pro engine builders. Thus, I believe my original question was appropriate and I appreciate the responses I got from guys like "Russ/40" and "Seth Swoboda". In the end, what may be a bad decision for a pro builder might turn out to be the completion of an engine build for me.

Re: Used camshafts
 

On the helicopter engines I cut my teeth on, we replace the cams and follower assemblies 100% at O/H due to the high strung nature of that particular engine. The lighter duty engines for regular airplanes can have the cam and followers ground but it's usually a one time deal. The Lycoming engines didn't oil as well as the Continentals so they have a tendency to spall out anyway. Definitely don't take any chances on this stuff. They even put tricrestyl phosphate (TCP) in certain types of aircraft engine oil due to that. You can get away with a lot more on the flathead V8s as long as your easy on them.

Re: Used camshafts
 

I spent a long year riding around in helicopters. My Ford feels safer.