WOT-Tech's new cams

[ForcedFirebird]

The non-ground blank is cast close to the tolerances, then machined (rough lobes are already there). Billet is just that, it starts life as a piece of round stock completely machined on all surfaces - this is why the billet cam is only limited by the cam bearing size for install, and not not relying on how large the particular blank was rough cast.

[3400-95-Modified]

So a blank already has close to the factory lobe size on it, maybe a bit larger to allow for the finish grind to be done?

[ericjon262]

So a blank already has close to the factory lobe size on it, maybe a bit larger to allow for the finish grind to be done?

pretty much. billets are also forged and not cast, making them much stronger

[3400-95-Modified]

I was familiar with what the billet is, and how its really 100% custom cut, it was more of the question on what the term "blank cam" meant since Ben called another persons cam not a re-grind... I guess that term would only apply when you take a 100% stock run ready cam and send it somewhere to have the profile changed.

So all this cam talk... What do we have to do to allow us to run SBC roller cam bearings? I'm reading mixed reviews on them being worth it... but if I wore out the cam bearings I have now then I'm not sure what's next.

[SappySE107]

Pushrod lengths for regrinds vs similar grinds we do now on cast cams is .040". This is why you can do a lot more with the cast cams we sell over a regrind on a cast or hollow cam. Comp gets the cams from the same source as melling and those places as far as i am aware.

Are you running the teflon coated wide cam bearings? I don't know about roller bearings but it has to be damn near the same process as a SBC.

[3400-95-Modified]

I am currently running the Clevite AL-3 Heavy Duty cam bearings for a 350.

SH1349S Material: AL-3

I didn't go with the B-1 material because Babbit is known to flake and crater when under excess stress and that's the symptoms I saw on the previous babbit bearings I was running, so rather than gamble with another set and have them do the same even though they are wider I just went with the heavy duty option.

[ericjon262]

It'll be rollers in my motor if the teflon bearing I will be running don't hold up.

[Z26-T]

So all this cam talk... What do we have to do to allow us to run SBC roller cam bearings? I'm reading mixed reviews on them being worth it... but if I wore out the cam bearings I have now then I'm not sure what's next.

I looked into using needle bearing cam bearings in my dragster and found that it wasn't worth it. You need to have the block machined to accept the new bearings and then install them. From most reviews I saw it was about a 6 hp gain and was only really useful for the oval track guys. I know that DDing will put the miles on it, but you don't keep the engine pegged at 5k+ for hours on end. With using the coated SBC bearings for our applications, I don't foresee any real wear issues. Especially since the 100k+ 3400s I've had apart just barely started showing copper with the stock narrow bearings.

[ericjon262]

the big advantage to roller cam bearing is durability, but how much more durable compared to coated... ?

[Z26-T]

the big advantage to roller cam bearing is durability, but how much more durable compared to coated... ?

The machine shops I talked to (possibly screwing me) wanted close to 1k to have them installed. I can pull my engines apart every couple of years and install new bearings for much less if there is a real wear issue. But I have a hard time beliving that. My connecting rods need replacing for stretch more often than my cam bearings :P. Obviously different for a dragster verse a weekend warrior DD. But I think the same concept applies.

[SappySE107]

Corrected previous statement, the billet core will need a composite or bronze gear.

[3400-95-Modified]

I looked into using needle bearing cam bearings in my dragster and found that it wasn't worth it. You need to have the block machined to accept the new bearings and then install them. From most reviews I saw it was about a 6 hp gain and was only really useful for the oval track guys. I know that DDing will put the miles on it, but you don't keep the engine pegged at 5k+ for hours on end. With using the coated SBC bearings for our applications, I don't foresee any real wear issues. Especially since the 100k+ 3400s I've had apart just barely started showing copper with the stock narrow bearings.

Agreed 100k mile 3400's don't wear stock bearings but a heavy cam and springs will kill a set of those bearings quickly... or at least that was the case with my engine. I'm hoping the wide AL-3's I put in this year held up nicely but we'll see.

And bummer on the bronze gear... I don't know if it was just due to it being a milzy cam but the billet one I had with the bronze gear ate up the bronze quickly... 15k and it was near replacement, Might have also just needed a shim or something to get the gear mesh right, I'm not sure I didn't check that when installing, just kinda took it for granted it would be right.

[SappySE107]

That is what bronze does.

[19Cutlass94]

...


Sent from my iPhone in some random spot of Texas.

[3400-95-Modified]

That is what bronze does.

I figured... it's just a pisser and quite an expensive wear part.