The V8 Owners Forum -

hi, i.ve got a cam for a 302, where is there info so i can find out what it is? i've searched the net for cam identification, but couldn't find alot!
any links would be good, cheers, glen

Hi
To identify the cam you will probably need to know who ground it (if it is aftermarket) if it is a ford cam then you will need to find the engine number, from that go onto google and find out what the engine came out of, then from there the cam grind will be based on make and model (again google).
If it is a comp cams cam then this link should give you the spec from the grind number http://www.compcams.com/technical/Catal ... 26-227.pdf
If it is an Isky cam try here
http://www.iskycams.com/
Most cam grinders have an online catalog of some sort, the grind number is usually on the timing chain end of the cam on the front face (so you can see it without removing the cam!)
Best regards
Mike

hmmm....i don't know what engine it came from, who made it etc. it has a "N" stamped on the end, but nothing stamped on the timing gear end.
there's a few casting marks inbetween the lobes at the flywheel end, looks like z7? b9 or b6?

anyone?

Hi, the only sbf i can find with a N on the end is a 289 ci from 1963 to 64, bore and deck height is the same as a 302ci. But my book only goes upto a 78. rich

well, i won a cam on ebay, it's a compcams with 67156 stamped on the end? the compcams link above doesn't work can anybody shed some light on this? cheers, glen

it would appear to be this cam, hydraulic lifters though
can anyone explain the solid/hydraulic thing to me please? is this cam usless to me?
http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam- ... d=801&sb=2

Not sure exactly what you want to know but I'll have a go.
Is it new? if no do you have the lifters it was run in with so you can match then to their lobes? if not bin it
If it is new or has the original lifter in order then it is a fast road cam, will have a lumpy idle and a brisk mid range and with the right heads will make a rev happy engine.
Hydraulic and solid lifter cams differ in their ramp shape, hydraulic ramps initially have very rapid ramps that take up the "give" inherent in a hydraulic lifter, taking up the slack in the valve train, the mid part of the ramp basically is the same for both, they open the valve as fast as they can, then for the final shoulder of the ramp they are a bit more gentle as there is inherent springyness and this has to be taken into account to stop the valve opening too far. The initial face of the ramp on a mechanical ramp (first 15 to 20 thou) takes up the lash, then is (compared to a hydraulic ramp) more gentle accelerating the valve train with out the shock absorbing effect of the hydraulic tappet. As I said mid ramp is basically the same, the final shoulder is harsher as when the ramp stops pushing the valve there is only momentum for the spring to overcome (and mechanical valve trains are inherently lighter. Hydraulic cams tend to hammer the life out of mechanical valve trains, hydraulic valve trains with mechanical cams just don't work so well.
Best regards
Mike

cheers, i get that. it's used... without followers, but i'm building on a budget, and i've used different cams and buckets before and they last a few years with no adverse effects (maybe a different story it the long term).
can i get hydraulic lifters for my old mechanical block? is the o/d the same? is there an oil feed for hydraulic? has anyone got a semi lairy mechanical cam cheap? etc etc...cheers

i am learning! :DHydraulic cams tend to hammer the life out of mechanical valve trains...this is the important bit i think

Is it a hydraulic roller lifter engine or has it got standard solid mechanical lifter or standard hydraulic lifters?

Kevin.

it's standard mechanical old 70's engine

If it is a hydraulic roller lifter engine and you have a set of lifters (or can get a second hand set cheep) then shove in a set roller lifters and change in second hand cams to your hearts content. With roller cams you don't have the matching issue.
All the lifters use the same bore.
the oil feed is fine the lifters sit pass through the main oil galleries.
best regards
Mike