standard cam or sports

[plasticpig72]

I am lucky enough to have a 3000m and a 3000s. The 3000m is standard with standard camshaft and pulls from tickover very nice.
The 3000s has a sports camshaft VA19 that pulls from 1500rpm so flat untill above 1500rpm for me a little tiring.
I've looked at burtonpower but they only seem to have fast road camshafts like already fitted.
Does someone sell original standard camshafts for Sunday drivers like me. Or new old stock.
Alan

[phillpot]

Kent cams and Piper were the big names in cams when i was a kid, think they're both still around? Guess they could grind you a cam to any required profile?

[Dollyman1850]

You want a caravan cam

N.

[SlimJim16v]

Burton have lots of cams, just go for the mildest spec, 270 deg duration. It'll easily pull from tickover.

Or try here https://www.essexengines.com/index.htm

[plasticpig72]

Many thanks essexengines looks good with standard cams available.
Can someone tell me if the Camshaft on an Essex can be changed with Engine in place and not removing the Heads. I've done this on a Kent Engine using Magnets to hold the Cam Followers up so they don't fall.
Alan

[Dollyman1850]

plasticpig72 said:

Many thanks essexengines looks good with standard cams available.
Can someone tell me if the Camshaft on an Essex can be changed with Engine in place and not removing the Heads. I've done this on a Kent Engine using Magnets to hold the Cam Followers up so they don't fall.
Alan

Should always renew the followers with the cam. Followers wear to a pattern and they have a slight dome on top which encourages them to spin in the bore. The cam runs on approx half / 3/4 of the follower top so putting a new cam on an old follower can give issues and cause premature wear of components. Unless your existing cam and followers were very new then I would never only change the cam.

Have you looked at the V61 Kent profile. I would have thought much better than the profile you have in their now and is probably well suited to the TVR.

N.

Edited by Dollyman1850 on Wednesday 17th April 08:07

[plasticpig72]

The Engine has done about 2,000mls since it was reconditioned by Burtons. The VA19 was fitted at that time and Engine rebored etc. The Engine runs very well and pulls very well indeed above 1,500rpm.
I have set the Ignition at 10°btc which i think should be ok.
I wonder if i should check the Jets in the Carb and maybe fit richer ones to suit the Camshaft
Alan

[anonymous-user]

I would be speaking to Burtons to get enough information to check carburation is correctly jetted etc, cam timing is correct, and the ignition timing is set up correctly.

You may find that timed up correctly with proper jetting, the car is a pussy cat

Edited by anonymous-user on Wednesday 17th April 16:32

[SlimJim16v]

Burton can't really give more than the cam timing and valve clearances, as fuel and ignition depend on the entire package. As they built it though, I'd expect a bit more Info.

I'd say that cam is a bit much without any other mods. A poor choice/recommendation.

It does need a visit to a rolling road though. Electronic ignition works well, due to the poor fuel distribution with a std manifold.

[plasticpig72]

Many thanks boys for all the different ideas.
I think i will try to get the mixture checked first to see if it's not running too lean.
Alan

[plasticpig72]

So can a camshaft be fitted with engine in place and without removing the Heads.
.Many thanks in advance
Alan

[Dollyman1850]

plasticpig72 said:

So can a camshaft be fitted with engine in place and without removing the Heads.
.Many thanks in advance
Alan

Its a long time since I have done one but pretty sure heads can be left on, Inlet manifold needs to come off and you can access the followers when the inlet manifold removed.. You do need to get the followers to the top of their bores though.. Various ways to do this :-)

N.

[Everilda]

You need to take off the inlet manifold, slacken off the rockers and lift out the push rods and cam followers. Pretty sure there is no need to remove the heads but you will have to take the distributor out.

As Neil has said if you are fitting a new camshaft you should fit new cam followers at the same time.

I don't know if you can withdraw the camshaft while the engine is in the chassis.

Of course you will rotate the engine to a known timing position before you pull off the timing gears.

[plasticpig72]

For sure both of you are right to say fit new Cam Follers. The Engine has done 2,000 miles since complet rebuild by Burtons including fitting of new VA19 Cam.
I wondered with only 2,000 miles if the Cam Followers could be retained and i could be a little lazy and naughty not changing them.
It depends how to Engine was started after the rebuild and run in.
Only time i wil know is when i take it apart.
Alan

[Dollyman1850]

plasticpig72 said:

For sure both of you are right to say fit new Cam Follers. The Engine has done 2,000 miles since complet rebuild by Burtons including fitting of new VA19 Cam.
I wondered with only 2,000 miles if the Cam Followers could be retained and i could be a little lazy and naughty not changing them.
It depends how to Engine was started after the rebuild and run in.
Only time i wil know is when i take it apart.
Alan

If you have only done 2k miles then most likely you will get away with not doing followers.. If you knock the cam out then you will know that you didn't
I would look at the V61 before you go to a bog standard cam. I think a std cam in a light car like an M will be a bit of a waste... the VA19 is an OK cam but if you have not polished and ported heads etc then you will be not making the best... the 61 profile is an OK cam and still picks up from 500 revs. :-)
N.

[plasticpig72]

Many thanks Neil,
for the good info. I'll take the 3000s for a run and set it up during the week. That way i can decide if i want to live with th VA 19 or take the plunge and fit a 61 Cam.
Alan

[plasticpig72]

Just did 280 miles with car club over 3 days and she's running very well and never missed a beat. I think i can get get used to the VA19 Cam which takes off after 2,000 rpm. No hot start problems or Temp problems with Timing 10 degrees advance. Also for the moment good old Points and Condenser.
Alan

[Andrew Gray]

This is what my 3000s has Alan in the fast road form and i would not change it i have driven others with different Cams and i still prefer this
https://www.demon-tweeks.com/uk/piper-cams-perform...
Andrew

[plasticpig72]

Thanks Andrew,
That makes 2 of us happy.
Alan