This Old Cam

[Polecat]

Hey!

I got this cam from Miss Potter a few years back. Can anyone tell me what lash pads I need to install it on a rebuilt E88 head? Everything, valves, springs, lifters are factory new except this cam. Has this cam been reground? Anyway to tell?  Also the cam had some surface rust on the journals that seems to clean up nicely with a scotch pad.

Any info is great!

Thanks...

Polecat

[Chickenman]

Take a picture of the face of the back of the Cam. There may be some numbers scribed in there to identify the grind number. 

[Zed Head]

The base circles aren't as small as some ground cams.  When they grind a new profile over an existing profile they cut some base circle off.

You can measure the cam lobe height also to see how close it is to factory specs.

Not sure but I think that factory cams were cast to shape, forged, then ground.  Or maybe just cast and ground.  But not billet.  That's why your Potter cam is so smooth between the lobes but the factory shafts are all gnarly.

 

[siteunseen]

I've always read  EFI cars don't run good with high lift or smaller base circle cams?  That one says "turbo" so it's made for EFI.

Chickenman has the best advice. Get the number off the end and google it.

[Zed Head]

Actually, since the essential question (whcich lash pad?) doesn't consider the grind itself, or if it's stock or reground, I think he needs to take some measurements and probably do a trial or two.  Lash pad thickness depends on more than just the cam.  The procedure is described on pages 108-110 of Monroe's "How To Rebuild" book.  No matter what you find out about the camshaft you'll still need to determine the right pad thickness for the head assembly by trial and measure.

[siteunseen]

I can't see any oiling holes in lobes so maybe it's not for an EFI turbo head?

It's a mystery!

[Mark Maras]

 Are there any cam specifications on the back of the tag?