Author Topic: camshaft fabrication  (Read 13141 times)

Offline fcylinderrules

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camshaft fabrication
« on: February 13, 2015, 12:00:46 PM »
Hi all,
need some help, I want a camshaft copied...it's from a four cylinder engine that I'm reversing the rotation....
it needs to be a straight copy, nothing fancy......
Can't find anybody in Europe to do it for less than $2000US........
can anyone recommend a company......don't much mind where in the world.....
many thanks, clogs

Offline awemawson

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #1 on: February 13, 2015, 12:08:43 PM »
Hi and welcome.

Perhaps a few more details might help. Size? Model 10 cc or full size ship heavy diesel for instance  :ddb:
Andrew Mawson
East Sussex

Offline kayzed1

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #2 on: February 13, 2015, 02:59:07 PM »
If a car motor piper cams will do it for you, or did for me many years ago.

Offline John Rudd

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #3 on: February 13, 2015, 03:30:29 PM »
 :mmr:
If a car motor piper cams will do it for you, or did for me many years ago.

....and then there is Kent cams... If they are still on the go....

Surely you can contact an engine building specialist? Burtons here in the UK....? Again if still on the go..
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Offline awemawson

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #4 on: February 13, 2015, 05:34:21 PM »
Kent Cams were still in business a couple of years ago - I nearly bought An Interact 4 from them !
Andrew Mawson
East Sussex

Offline fcylinderrules

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #5 on: February 14, 2015, 07:28:52 AM »
Hi all, sorry it was late when I wrote...

as for the engine it a 4 cylinder,OHC, in line, 1000cc air cooled ....
 Piper cams were the one's who wanted £1,500 plus the tax and post and I'm sure Kent cams won't do it as a one-off....
if the price was right I'd buy 2 units.....
perhaps should have said it has slipper type cam followers......

 thanks clogs........

Offline awemawson

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #6 on: February 14, 2015, 07:38:10 AM »
If the camshaft is end to end symmetrical, can you not literally swap it end for end and re-machine just the gear location and bearing location from a stock camshaft putting the drive gear on what was the far end bearing journal?
Andrew Mawson
East Sussex

Offline steampunkpete

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #7 on: February 14, 2015, 12:14:40 PM »
As it isn't likely to be a unique engine (sounds motorcycle to me) is there no chance of finding one in a scrap yard somewhere? Even if you find a worn one, that would be an easier fix than starting from scratch; the worn lobes can be built up with steallite, reground and hardened. There are, or used to be, quite a few companies who would do that sort of work as a regular thing. I rebuild a BSA engine that way.

Offline Manxmodder

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #8 on: February 14, 2015, 04:12:44 PM »
Hi all, sorry it was late when I wrote...

as for the engine it a 4 cylinder,OHC, in line, 1000cc air cooled ....
 Piper cams were the one's who wanted £1,500 plus the tax and post and I'm sure Kent cams won't do it as a one-off....
if the price was right I'd buy 2 units.....
perhaps should have said it has slipper type cam followers......

 thanks clogs........


Just a crazy suggestion,but is there any way you could alter the cam drive train by possibly adding an extra gear to make the standard camshaft rotate in the opposite  direction it does now......OZ.
Helixes aren't always downward spirals,sometimes they're screwed up

Offline John Rudd

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #9 on: February 14, 2015, 04:16:30 PM »
Oz...that might be a possibility if the cam timing is symmetrical?
Cams may be ground for quick opening ( exhaust?) or late closing.  ( inlet?).  Just summat to  consider?
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Offline Manxmodder

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #10 on: February 14, 2015, 04:21:59 PM »
Yes I understand that John,but what I am suggesting is allowing the cam to continue in its normal direction relative to the valve gear but allowing it to do so with the crank going opposite to its normal direction.

Hope that explains my thoughts better.....OZ.

Edit To Add: There may well be other factors that need consideration in reversing the crank direction such as the effects of any crank offset (desaxe)
Helixes aren't always downward spirals,sometimes they're screwed up

Offline scout800

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #11 on: February 14, 2015, 09:37:07 PM »
If you don't mind shipping to the USA I would use Lunati cams. I have bought hundreds of cams from them and had a few custom grinds made from them. They can make any blank you need from a ship to a Briggs and Stratton. They are a custom cam and valve train manufacturer and do a lot in the racing industry here in the states.  They are on the Internet or you can call 1-662-892-1500. Hope this helps good luck.

                                                                                Dave.

Offline mexican jon

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #12 on: February 14, 2015, 10:22:20 PM »
Give these guys a Call CAMSHAFTS Very helpful and quite happy to make 1 off's  :D
People say you only live once ! I say thank F@*K can't afford to do it twice.

Offline fcylinderrules

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #13 on: February 15, 2015, 03:32:30 AM »
Hi guy's, thanks 4 all the replies..
awemawson, can't get that lucky...the cam has graduated bearing sizes.......

steampunkpete, the original engine had anti-clock rotation (now clockwise) afraid no used cam's for me...
where did u get ur BSA cam's done.....

manxmodder, I'm afraid there is just not enough room,
had considered to get a new timing cover cast so that the hydraulic chain tensioner would fit in but in the end I cut and shut the original casing.....even if I could make the casting blank for the cover I recon there's a week's work just in machining the new casting....
hence the cost of a new cam didn't seem so bad..
I guessed around £5-600 squids....

so unless anything else turns up I'll give the 2 camshaft manufactures specified in the replies a try...
I appreciate all the help and hope in the future I'll b able to do the same 4 somebody....
bee's in ur hair-oil on ur shoes....hahaha...
over and out....Clogs....

Offline steampunkpete

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #14 on: February 15, 2015, 12:21:42 PM »
Quote
steampunkpete, the original engine had anti-clock rotation (now clockwise) afraid no used cam's for me...
where did u get ur BSA cam's done.....

I used Piper Cams in Kent. That was some years ago. They have since expanded and moved premises, so whether they still do what you want I wouldn't know.

Good luck anyhow.

Pete

Offline crazypj

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Re: camshaft fabrication
« Reply #15 on: February 19, 2015, 07:31:42 PM »
You could always just leave the head in stock position
What bike are you destroying?
 :worthless: