Camshafts
 

I have four 5 bearing camshafts. one has the second and fourth bearing with oil grooves. the grooves are wider and deeper than three bearing camshafts. The 2nd and 5th bearings are the same size (1.558in) as the other 3 bearings.
The other three have no oil grooves on the 2nd and 5th bearings and they are smaller (1.44 inches dia) than the other 3 bearings. Any idea why they are smaller and what the difference between the cams mean.

Re: Camshafts
 

Ford made 3 different 5-brg. cams. First all 5 brgs. were finish-ground to the same size to match the blocks being used. 2nd series #2 & 4 were finish-ground to a smaller diameter to make installation quicker and easier, blocks were now 3 bearing. 3rd series were merely rough-machined because it was cheaper to do so. The lobes were all the same. Value? All the same.

Re: Camshafts
 

Thanks Jim, I thought you would know the answer.

Re: Camshafts
 

camshaft question.

my 28 tourer has a better performing engine that my 28 ute. the first was overhauled by an old-timer, the second by the same workshop but a new owner.

I believe the first had a reground cam. I am advised a "B" cam will greatly outperform the original. I wonder if the A cam can be reground to "B" specs or reground to be more like the B. If so I'd get it done .

there are plenty of you wise folk to give me an opinion which would be received with gratitude. thankyou. gary

Re: Camshafts
 

All in the US:

http://www.modelaparts.net/webbcat.htm/catp44.htm

https://www.snydersantiqueauto.com/P...shaft-camshaft

http://www.specialtymotorcams.com/index.php#services

Re: Camshafts
 

the B cam is better than the A cam, but not "greatly". Also, B cams came in 3 different versions, .305", .315" and .339" lifts. The .339 also has slightly more duration than the others. I grind what I call a 'C' grind, it is a copy of the 339 but I rounded the nose a bit for longevity, and now has .320" lift. It makes a great touring cam. If you're going to leave everything else stock, don't go to a higher performance cam, it will hurt performance unless other mods are made.

Re: Camshafts
 

Re: Camshafts
 

When having a cam reground for ANY purpose, have them use a modern design profile that has clearance ramps and uses 1 inch diameter lifters.

Re: Camshafts
 

Gary,
I can put you onto a mob here in Melbourne who reground my cam shafts. Their grind goes on a standard camshaft which you would need to supply as a core. They are beyond a B grind for performance but in my opinion, to improve an engine we should look at all 3 of the "three Cs" at once and do a little to each. They are Carb, Cam and Compression. That is what I did to the car I use to tow the camper.
The specs are:
Inlet Opens at 21°, closes at 63?° (the data card is not clear) Duration 263°
Exhaust Opens at 67°, closes at 16° Duration 263°
Lift is 0.288"

Re: Camshafts
 

thankyou to Jim Brierley and Synchro.

Valuable is the knowledge of Ol' timers. received with gratitude. gary

Re: Camshafts
 

Use larger than 1" lifters. 1" may be OK on a stock cam but not for a performance cam. Most adjustables today are larger than some used several years ago.

Re: Camshafts
 

Larger that 1 inch lifters won't hurt anything on a modern performance cam but they are NOT needed. The so called "double lock" ones are 1 inch and while they are slower to set, they will NEVER come loose.

The reason OEM cams require larger than 1 inch face lifters is they are of the 3 arc design and the lift curve has NO clearance ramps. The velocity is high at the nose also. This is why the nose wears off prematurely.

Re: Camshafts
 

When getting into larger than stock cams, the larger face lifters will help.
Some we run are 1.2 dia and used on cams with bearings larger than 1.75 dia.
Of course pushing the .500 lift or higher.

John

Re: Camshafts
 

That is correct. Any given high performance cam is DESIGNED to run on a certain diameter lifter.
If a given cam is designed to run on a 1 inch lifter, going to a 1.1 inch lifter is NOT going to change anything except add unecessaary weight to the valve train.
Running a smaller diameter than specified lifter will quickly destroy the lifter and the lobe.