Help in identifying Camshafts..

[JayW]

It might be worth having a reference thread, so whenever anyone has the top off their motor they can list the markings on theirs so we can compile a table of specs?

[citronut]

just mind you don't fit a BX cam the wrong way about as both end bearing/caps are a diamiter,

uf you bolt the caps down with the cam the wrong way about you will break one of the caps,

regards malcolm

[andycadabra]

Thanks Citronut, I had assumed that each end would be quite different, so I'll take care on that issue.
The engine still hasn't arrived, so don't know what I'm dealing with yet. The garage have had the keys since Wednesday morning but the car hasn't moved since..
Having trouble tracking down engineering machine shops in London, I think the recession has claimed a few. The nearest I got was to speak to a car engine specialist who unhelpfully said he couldn't give a rough quote for drilling and tapping a hole in a camshaft until he saw it, and that he definitely wouldn't be able to do it while I waited, which would mean a lot of long bus rides...

[JayW]

What about the provision of a woodruff key on the tapped end? Mat?

[Mickey taker]

I used to use vulcan engineering in Hanwell , not sure if they are still there though

[andycadabra]

seem to have closed down, although a similarly named firm exists in Brands Hatch, Kent

[mat_fenwick]

What about the provision of a woodruff key on the tapped end? Mat?

I just used a BX cam, but good point about a woodruff key. Can't actually remember if it does have one since the pulley is not timed to the shaft. I suspect it's not actually essential, since my van doesn't have one where the cam drives the diesel pump (where timing is essential!)

An easy way to lock it to the cam would be to drill a hole on the join between cam and pulley (so you have half a hole in each) and then just tap in a roll pin, then tighten the bolt.

[JayW]

There is supposed to be one there, but as you say, providing the pulley is tight shouldn't be an issue. Particularly as the pulley turns in the "tightening" direction.

[andycadabra]

306 Engine arrived today - No sign of a mere cap covering end of cam but a thing like a small saucepan with a hose coming of it- see photo - Vacuum pump for PAS? Whatever it is, I presume the cam is driving it and therefore might have the desired bolthole, fit for a BX pulley?

http://i951.photobucket.com/albums/ad35 ... camend.jpg" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[citronut]

thats a vaccum pump for the brake servo and the cam will have a slot/key way in it, and the vac pump will have a blade like a dizzy ( distributor )

un/bolt it to see if it also has thread cut into it

regards malcolm

[docchevron]

it wont have a thread. Same as the ZX shaft. You'll be wanting a cam then, the end profile is totally different on these cams.. sorry!

[andycadabra]

Citronut - Thanks - will find out today..
Doc - I suppose there is still the option of drilling and tapping the cam, or using my BX17TZD cam in it?. No-one has yet mentioned the latter option wouldn't be ok - If it won't, let me know!.

[mat_fenwick]

Your TZD Turbo cam will work, I know at least one conversion has used that. I think that JayW is/was after a head, so he may be interested in your old one.

[andycadabra]

Thanks Mat - One less thing to worry about! (and even a potential buyer). Probably not worth spending £35-40 on a N/A 1.9 one if I can use mine. Hopefully if the head is OK, JayW, or other, might be happy to put in his own camshaft..

[docchevron]

what Mat said, but you cant use the cam from a car that has the vacuum pump. It's a shorther stub on that end, so even if you drilled and tapped it, the pulley wouldn't line up with the HP pump, ok, you could use a shim I guess but it's a lot of arsing about really. Especially if you have a cam made for the job in stock!