OE camshaft and cam gear markings?

[hatepotholez]

Hi,

Can someone show me a photo of an original 72 camshaft and cam gear. I would like to identify if my cam gear and camshaft is original. I have a feeling they aren't. My cam gear has no notch and the cam lobes have rough edging as if they were just cut or made.

 

Thanks!

[Zed Head]

I think that I implied this in your other thread - it looks like Nissan didn't use the notch and groove on the early engines.  That's why the early procedure calls for counting 42 links during installation, or using shiny links, and they don't talk about the notch and groove.  The notch and groove are an easier way to confirm proper installation and to monitor chain stretch, that they apparently added later.  Here's a thread that has an excellent picture of the notch (the second picture), but uses the link counting method for installation.  It's confusing if you have an early engine.

It's not clear which engine motorman7 is working on...

 

[hatepotholez]

3 minutes ago, Zed Head said:

I think that I implied this in your other thread - it looks like Nissan didn't use the notch and groove on the early engines.  That's why the early procedure calls for counting 42 links during installation, or using shiny links, and they don't talk about the notch and groove.  The notch and groove are an easier way to confirm proper installation and to monitor chain stretch, that they apparently added later.  Here's a thread that has an excellent picture of the notch (the second picture), but uses the link counting method for installation.  It's confusing if you have an early engine.

It's not clear which engine motorman7 is working on...

Ok thanks, i'll go over this thread. 

 

[Zed Head]

By the way, I always talk about the notch and groove because I have a 76 L28, a 78 L28 and a 1980 L28 and they all have the notch and groove.  There are probably 240Z guys out there who don't know what I'm talking about and have always used the shiny links and/or counting to 42.

Seems like there should be another way using cam lobe position, a little more precise than "pointing up", if you don't have the notch and groove..  Not sure exactly what it would be though.  Actually, in motorman7's thread, he does point the locating dowel up (but the motor is tilted so...?).  So that might be a good method.  Remove the bolt and washer and you should see the locating dowel hole.  Easier than removing the front cover.  Even if the motor is tilted, if you align the crankshaft keyway with the locating pin, that's very close to right.

The number might be visible also from behind the washer, but you won't know if it's stamped directly over the locating dowel hole.

[hatepotholez]

You are correct on the 42 links. The 72 fsm discusses the groove on the plate and notches on the cam they are right behind the 1,2,3 camshaft locate holes for chain stretch.

No idea how to snap the pic from the fsm and upload it on my MAC lol, sorry!

[Martzedcars]

Only have '71 engine picture with orig. cam..

[siteunseen]

Here's the original E88 head on my 2/'72 when I first bought it, I was having the same problems you are.  The original sprockets have 4 oblong holes.  And my cams have a rough edge too, they'll scratch your fingernail.  Original cams are stamped "JAPAN" where the red circle is, mine's kinda dirty and hard to make out from the picture.

Here is my thread on everything lining up for the timing, and some comments on moving the chain to fudge the timing. 

Edited January 14, 2017 by siteunseen

[siteunseen]

The cam should have JAPAN and E30 in raised lettering in between #8 and #9 lobes, I went downstairs and looked up close.

I think those rough edges help keep the oil on the lobes???

Edited January 14, 2017 by siteunseen

[hatepotholez]

Thanks for the photos. I definitely did not see that notch as I rotated the cam 360 degrees. It looks like my cam was freshly cut hence the rough edges on the cam. I'll check when I take the cam cover off. 

[hatepotholez]

Thanks for the photos. I definitely did not see that notch as I rotated the cam 360 degrees.

It looks like my camshaft was freshly cut hence the rough edges on the side of the lobes. I'll check when I take the cam cover off. 

Edited January 15, 2017 by hatepotholez

[Zed Head]

I remembered some past comments about sprockets that didn't have a notch.  I thought that they were Cloyes brand so I searched around and found a comment on Amazon about the S462, which is the L6 sprocket.  The comment doesn't support that it was Cloyes but does mention that he had a sprocket with no notch.  So they are out there.  Probably just an oversight or a manufacturing mistake.

The sprocket is fairly easy to replace (if you don't drop the chain).  If you have a used one with the notch, it might be worth a few minutes to swap them out, just to see.

 

 

 

[siteunseen]

I agree with Zed Head. That line inside the sprockets groove or anywhere close is a definite verify for TDC.  It would save you from  unneeded work.  If you know you're going to rebuild the motor sooner or later go ahead and get the timing kit and use the sprocket for now.  It looks to me your not far off.  The motors are so easy to build and set up that whoever rebuilt it last most likely got it right and we are just missing something simple. 

I'll try to find my OE sprocket tomorrow and measure the grooves location, then hopefully you can get close lining up the line in the grooves location.