New cam followers on old camshaft

Post any technical questions or queries here.
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winabbey
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by winabbey »

Following on from Spider's description of the cam followers surface finish and rotation here's an excellent article by Keith Calver's engineering "twin" in Australia, Graham Russell.

https://russellengineering.com.au/camshaft-followers/
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by Peter Laidler »

Great thread here, started by Surfari and answered once and for all by the tech response from Spider Chris and the pictorial article put up by Winabey. Brilliant......, warms my heart up on a miserable crap rainy day here. A good example of how a couple of pictures save thousands of words. Or how during a written technical examination, a drawing of a mechanism can answer a question in a quarter of the time AND get good marks

I have sent the thread to a good friend of mine who still teaches pre-uni Engineering students. Brilliant.....
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by mini_surfari »

Just to follow up on this, here is one of the eight followers received back from Keith (CalverST).

Will bed them in using the standard procedure.

Image

Also, what happened to mega cheap 20w50.. Wilko used to be our go to for running in :lol:
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by AndyB72 »

mini_surfari wrote: Mon Jan 08, 2024 9:05 am Also, what happened to mega cheap 20w50.. Wilko used to be our go to for running in :lol:
Was thinking the same thing. I need some cheap oil to chuck into a freshly built engine/box for a few miles. Called in my local MDC, no 20/50 at all, gave the guy my reg number "computer says no". Had a nosey on Hellfords website and looks like they don't do 20/50 either. If you find any let me know.
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by 63monte »

“Was thinking the same thing. I need some cheap oil to chuck into a freshly built engine/box for a few miles. Called in my local MDC, no 20/50 at all, gave the guy my reg number "computer says no". Had a nosey on Hellfords website and looks like they don't do 20/50 either. If you find any let me know.”

Not sure what the problem is with finding 20/50, there’s plenty about.
DB4518A3-6A71-4662-A287-5CEC2BD47823.jpeg
I’ve just used the Millers in mine.
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by Exminiman »

This is good, and you are supporting a business that specialises in classic
minis :D

https://www.minispares.com/product/clas ... 7005T.aspx
DD32445B-D7FE-4348-87A8-B2606D7A7FB3.png
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by AndyB72 »

I was referring to the mega cheap stuff Wilko, Asda, Morrisons etc. used to sell.
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by AndyB72 »

I’ve got plenty of the Mini Spares oil, but I feel it’s too good to use as an initial flush or running in oil.
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by mini_surfari »

AndyB72 wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2024 8:44 pm I was referring to the mega cheap stuff Wilko, Asda, Morrisons etc. used to sell.
Just found this Andy…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Comma-XFMOT1G- ... th=1&psc=1


And agree with you, we’ve plenty of good quality oil on the shelf!
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by peasantslife »

Think I've covered this several times previously. What makes you think that the viscosity index is vaguely important? Its not really relevant at all for 99% of classic driver usage.
No load engine run-in can be done without ZDDP additive, but for driven usage that part of the add mix is by far the most significant for a gearbox in sump engine.
20W is only of any interest if you are cranking your car into life below 5C daily (I'll suggest..) and then only has any significance for the first mile or two of usage when you will be able to measure a small fuel economy benefit.
Any mini tucked away between Haloween and easter can run entirely well on a strait if it has ZDDP to manage gear shear. However ZDDP is virtually unheard of nowadays in ANY commercially available motor oil as its a guarantee to cat killing.
So, look at the back of the can and look for API SC, SD, SE grades as they are probably the most appropriate for your classic mini.
Oil, the least understood and probably most complex component installed in an engine - (any machine).
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by Spider »

If it's a fresh engine build, I'd suggest a Running In Oil. Penrite (available in the UK) do an excellent one. Yes, it's a 15W40 but for break in, I wouldn't go any heavier.

If it's just new cam followers (and a cam ?) then again, I'd go for a 15W40 for their break in too. Going to a heavier Oil here just won't help matters and you'll be more likely to scuff them up.
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by Exminiman »

mini_surfari wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2024 9:43 pm
AndyB72 wrote: Tue Jan 09, 2024 8:44 pm I was referring to the mega cheap stuff Wilko, Asda, Morrisons etc. used to sell.
Just found this Andy…

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Comma-XFMOT1G- ... th=1&psc=1


And agree with you, we’ve plenty of good quality oil on the shelf!
Its cheap, but it is only 4.5 litres not 5
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by Spider »

winabbey wrote: Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:18 am Following on from Spider's description of the cam followers surface finish and rotation here's an excellent article by Keith Calver's engineering "twin" in Australia, Graham Russell.

https://russellengineering.com.au/camshaft-followers/
Hehehehehe,,,,,,,I had to have a it of a chuckle at this,,,,

The cam follower that was in my previous post;-
Spider wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 9:39 pm
Just coming back to having follower re-faced and breaking through their hardness boundary layer, here's an extreme example;-

Image

It's clear that it had been rotating but was far too soft. Needless to say, it chewed out the cam.
Was actually one of his,,,,

Just be careful when turning to re-faced followers. I'd suggest, if there's any doubt replace them with the likes of APTs or Isky's.
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by Exminiman »

Spider wrote: Wed Jan 10, 2024 10:21 pm
winabbey wrote: Sat Dec 30, 2023 2:18 am Following on from Spider's description of the cam followers surface finish and rotation here's an excellent article by Keith Calver's engineering "twin" in Australia, Graham Russell.

https://russellengineering.com.au/camshaft-followers/
Hehehehehe,,,,,,,I had to have a it of a chuckle at this,,,,

The cam follower that was in my previous post;-
Spider wrote: Fri Dec 29, 2023 9:39 pm
Just coming back to having follower re-faced and breaking through their hardness boundary layer, here's an extreme example;-

Image

It's clear that it had been rotating but was far too soft. Needless to say, it chewed out the cam.
Was actually one of his,,,,

Just be careful when turning to re-faced followers. I'd suggest, if there's any doubt replace them with the likes of APTs or Isky's.
Do you know what the manufacturing process is ? presumably case hardened and then machined ?
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by Peter Laidler »

Interesting question....... I'd say machined THEN case hardened appropriately and then polished. By always prepared to be shot down........
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by winabbey »

According to the engineering drawing for cam follower part 2A13 they are cast steel with hardened HRC45 faces, whatever that means.
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

Post by Exminiman »

....bit like other surface treatments may depend on the depth of the treatment ?
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Re: New cam followers on old camshaft

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