How Can I Tell What Cam Is in My Engine?

When it comes to choosing a camshaft for your engine, it is important to know how to identify which one is right for your application. There are dozens of different parameters that must be considered when choosing a cam, including lift, duration, lobe separation angle, and more. However, the most important factor in choosing the right camshaft is matching it to the intended use of the engine. Whether you are building a street rod or a race car, there is a camshaft out there that is perfect for your application.

The first step in choosing a camshaft is to decide what you will be using the engine for. Are you looking for high performance and increased power? If so, you will want a cam with more lift and longer duration. If you are simply looking to improve the idle quality and low-end torque of your engine, a milder cam with less lift and shorter duration will be a better choice.

Once you have decided on the intended use of the engine, the next step is to select a cam that is compatible with the rest of the engine components. If you are using a stock cylinder head and rockers, you will want to choose a cam with a lobe separation angle that matches the stock components. If you are using aftermarket heads and roller rockers, you will have more freedom in choosing a cam with different lobe separation angles.

Duration is another important consideration when choosing a camshaft. The duration of a camshaft is the amount of time that the valves are open in relation to the crankshaft position. A longer duration cam will have the valves open longer, which will allow more air and fuel to enter the cylinders. This will result in increased power, but will also cause the engine to run hotter and may result in decreased fuel economy. Shorter duration cams will have the valves open for a shorter period of time, which will result in less power but may provide better fuel economy.

The final consideration when choosing a camshaft is lift. Lift is the amount that the valves are opened in relation to the stock components. More lift will allow more air and fuel to enter the cylinders, which will result in increased power. However, too much lift can cause the valves to bounce off the seats, which can cause serious engine damage.

Now that you know how to identify which camshaft is right for your application, the next step is to select a cam that

A camshaft is a shaft to which cams are attached. The cams engage lever arms or rockers to open and close valves. As the engine's crankshaft turns, the camshaft is turned at half speed. If the camshaft is turning at 1,000 rpm, the crankshaft is turning at 2,000 rpm.

The engine's valves open and close in response to the cams. The timing of the valve opening and closing is what makes the engine produce power. The camshaft must be synchronized with the crankshaft so that the valves open and close at the proper time.

There are two main types of camshafts: overhead camshafts and pushrod camshafts. Overhead camshafts are found in most modern engines. The camshaft is located in the engine's cylinder head, and the valves are opened and closed by the camshaft directly.

Pushrod camshafts are found in most older engines. The camshaft is located in the engine block, and the valves are opened and closed by pushrods. The pushrods are actuated by the camshaft, and they in turn push on the valve stems.

The main identifying marks on the camshaft are the cam lobes. The cam lobes are the elevated portions of the camshaft that make contact with the lever arms or pushrods. The number and type of cam lobes will vary depending on the engine's design.

The camshaft also has timing marks that are used to line up the camshaft with the crankshaft. The timing marks are usually located on the end of the camshaft.

The camshaft is a critical component of the engine, and it must be carefully designed to ensure that the engine runs correctly. The camshaft lobes and timing marks are the two main identifying marks on the camshaft.

There is no definite answer when it comes to determining whether a cam is stock or aftermarket. However, there are certain factors that can be considered which may help make this determination. One factor to look at is the position of the lobe on the cam. Aftermarket cams generally have the lobe positioned further away from the centerline of the engine, while stock cams typically have the lobe positioned closer to the centerline. Additionally, aftermarket cams will often have a larger diameter than stock cams.

Another factor that can be considered is the type of valvetrain used. Aftermarket cams typically use a more aggressive valvetrain that can higher lift and more duration. Additionally, aftermarket cams will often have more lobe ramps than stock cams. Finally, aftermarket cams will typically have a more aggressive grind than stock cams. All of these factors can help in determining whether a cam is stock or aftermarket.

There are a few ways to figure out what size the cam is. One way is to hold the cam in your hand and measure it with a ruler. Another way is to look up the specs for the cam online. The last way is to take the cam to a store and have them measure it for you.

This is a difficult question. There is no definitive answer, and it often requires a trained eye to tell. However, there are some methods that can be used to help you determine the grind of a cam.

One method is to hold the cam in your hand and look at it. The grind of a cam is determined by the shape of the lobe. If the lobe is rounded, it is a factory grind. If the lobe is angular, it is a performance grind.

Another method is to look at the valve springs. If the springs are light and close together, it is a factory grind. If the springs are heavy and far apart, it is a performance grind.

If you are still unsure, you can always take the cam to a professional and have them take a look at it.

cam lobe separation angle is the angle between the two cam lobes on a camshaft. It is often referred to as LSA. The LSA is very important to the performance of an engine. It significantly affects how the engine breathes and how much power it produces.

There are a few ways to telling what lobe separation angle the cam has. One way is to measure the distance between the centers of the two cam lobes. Another way is to measure the angle between the two cam lobes.

The LSA can be changed by changing the camshaft. It is important to select the correct LSA for the application. If the LSA is too small, the engine will have too much valve overlap and will not produce enough power. If the LSA is too large, the engine will not have enough valve overlap and will not produce enough power.

It is also important to select the correct LSA for the cylinder heads. If the LSA is too small, the engine will not have enough valve lift and will not produce enough power. If the LSA is too large, the engine will have too much valve lift and will not produce enough power.

The LSA can also be changed by changing the pushrods. If the LSA is too small, the pushrods will be too long and will not work correctly. If the LSA is too large, the pushrods will be too short and will not work correctly.

It is also important to select the correct LSA for the rockers. If the LSA is too small, the rockers will not have enough clearance and will not work correctly. If the LSA is too large, the rockers will have too much clearance and will not work correctly.

The LSA can also be changed by changing the butterflies. If the LSA is too small, the butterflies will not open correctly and will not produce enough power. If the LSA is too large, the butterflies will open too far and will not produce enough power.

It is also important to select the correct LSA for the air intake. If the LSA is too small, the air intake will be too small and will not work correctly. If the LSA is too large, the air intake will be too large and will not work correctly.

The LSA can also be changed by changing the exhaust. If the LSA is too small

There is no definitive answer to this question, as there are many factors that can affect the duration of a cam. However, there are a few things that you can look at to get an approximate idea of the duration.

First, you can look at the size of the cam. Generally speaking, a larger cam will have a longer duration than a smaller cam. This is because a larger cam has a larger lobe, which provides more lift and duration.

Another factor that can affect the duration of a cam is the material that it is made from. A cam made from a softer material will typically have a shorter duration than a cam made from a harder material. This is because a softer material will compress more under load, which reduces the amount of lift that the cam can provide.

Finally, the amount of lift that a cam provides can also affect its duration. A cam with more lift will typically have a shorter duration than a cam with less lift. This is because the extra lift provided by the cam will cause it to open up sooner, which reduces the amount of time that the valve is open.

In general, there is no easy way to determine the exact duration of a cam. However, by considering the size, material, and lift of the cam, you can get a good approximate idea of the duration.

Installing a new camshaft in your engine is an important process that can significantly improve the performance of your vehicle. In order to accurately select the right camshaft for your car, you will need to know how to measure the lift of the cam. With a few simple tools and a little bit of knowledge, you can easily determine the lift of your camshaft and make sure that it is the perfect choice for your engine.

The first step in measuring the lift of your camshaft is to remove the old camshaft from your engine. You will need a few basic tools to do this, including a socket set and a wrench set. Once the old camshaft is removed, you will need to measure the distance between the top of the camshaft and the bottom of the block. This measurement is known as the "lift."

To accurately measure the lift of your camshaft, you will need to use a micrometer. A micrometer is a precision measurement tool that is used to measure small distances. To use a micrometer, you will need to place the tool on the top of the camshaft and zero out the reading. Next, you will need to measure the distance between the top of the camshaft and the bottom of the block. The reading on the micrometer will be the lift of your camshaft.

Once you have measured the lift of your camshaft, you will need to select a new camshaft that has the appropriate lift for your engine. There are a variety of different camshafts available on the market, so it is important to select one that is designed for your specific engine. If you are unsure about which camshaft to select, you can always consult a professional for assistance.

The lash on a cam can be measured with a simple tool called a feeler gauge. This is a thin, flat piece of metal with a handle that is used to measure the clearance between two surfaces. The feeler gauge is inserted into the space between the lobe of the cam and the follower (or rocker arm) that rides on it. The width of the space is then measured with the feeler gauge. The clearance is typically expressed in thousandths of an inch (0.001") or thousandths of a millimeter (0.01 mm).

There are a few different ways to determine what valve lash the cam has. One way is to look at the specifications for the cam. The manufacturer will typically list the valve lash as part of the cam's specifications. For example, a common valve lash for a small block Chevy V8 engine might be 0.006" - 0.010" (or 0.15 - 0.25 mm). This means that the clearance between the lobe and the follower should be between 0.006 and 0.010 inches (or 0.15 and 0.25 mm).

Another way to determine the valve lash is to measure it directly with a feeler gauge. This is a more accurate way to measure the clearance, but it requires that the engine be disassembled so that the lash can be measured. This is typically only done when the engine is being rebuilt or when the cam is being replaced.

To measure the valve lash, the engine is first disassembled so that the cam and followers are exposed. The cam is then rotated so that the lobe for the valve that is being measured is at its highest point. The feeler gauge is then inserted between the lobe and the follower and the width of the space is measured. The lash is typically measured in thousandths of an inch (0.001") or thousandths of a millimeter (0.01 mm).

Once the valve lash is measured, it can be compared to the manufacturer's specifications to ensure that it is within the acceptable range. If the valve lash is outside of the acceptable range, it can be adjusted by adding or removing shims from between the lobe and the follower.

Adjusting the valve lash is a delicate process and should only be done by a qualified mechanic. Improperly adjusted valve lash can result in poor engine performance and damage to the engine.

When determining the valve timing of a cam, it is important to first understand the basics of how a cam works. A cam is a rotating shaft with one or more raised lobes. As the cam turns, the lobes push against the valves, opening and closing them. The amount of time that the valves are open and closed depends on the cam's lobe design.

The timing of the cam can be determined by the position of the cam in relation to the crankshaft. If the cam is in line with the crankshaft, it is said to be "at top dead center" (TDC). If the cam is at TDC, the valves will be in the correct position to be actuated by the lobes.

To determine the valve timing of a cam, it is necessary to know the position of the cam in relation to the crankshaft. This can be done by using a timing light. A timing light is an instrument that attaches to the spark plug wire and emits a strobe light when the spark plug fires. By watching the strobe light with the naked eye, it is possible to see the position of the cam in relation to the crankshaft.

If the cam is not at TDC, the valves will not be in the correct position to be actuated by the lobes. In this case, the cam will need to be "advanced" or "retarded" to achieve the correct valve timing.

When a cam is "advanced", the valve timing is moved closer to TDC. This causes the valves to open earlier in the engine's cycle. This can be beneficial for engines that are designed to run at high RPM, as it can allow the engine to "breathe" better.

When a cam is "retarded", the valve timing is moved away from TDC. This causes the valves to open later in the engine's cycle. This can be beneficial for engines that are designed to run at low RPM, as it can help to reduce "knocking" or "pinging" that can occur when the air/fuel mixture detonates too early.

It is important to note that changing the valve timing can have a profound effect on an engine's performance. It is advisable to consult with a qualified automotive specialist before making any changes to the valve timing of an engine.