Hey guys, I was told when I had head fitted that I had a racing kent cam yet the codes on end are no where near it. The numbers read 117 136 391 n a very faded 37 I think how do I find out what cam this is? As Im after it to find out if it a hydraulic one or solid one. Thanks to anyone who can help.

 

If you have a engine place near you that's any good they can tell you just by looking at it whether it is hydraulic cam or not, solid cam will have like a bulge along the normally flat section this acts as a quietening ramp for the solid followers, a lot easier to show than explain.
tabetha

 

hi mate do you have a pic from anywhere by any chance? or a a more detailed eplanation on what to look for? As Id have to try see for myself no one around here touches that sort of thing just interested in finding problems and replacing everything! A guess you cant put hydraulic lifters on a solid cam?

 

do you mean the lobes? Just had a look at cam in my spare engine and it looks the same if you mean the flat bit on lobes

 

Yes you can use solid lifters on a hydro cam, but it will be noisy due to the loss of ramp, in a hydraulic lifter the lifters stay in very light contact with the cam all the time, whereas there is a gap in a solid lifter arrangement.
Along the length of the lobe nearer to the base of the lobe will be a very gentle ramp, this accelerates the follower gently so there isn't so much a no contact, full contact situation ie so that it is gradual, so looking from the end the profile around the base is slightly different having a fat bulge just above base, whereas otherwise the base will be perfectly circular.
tabetha

 

hi mate thanks for that I will have a look on my actual car I think I see what you mean from my spare engine as it doesnt have this. Can you use hydro lifters on a solid cam? or is this dangerous?

 

NO not that way around, I wouldn't use hydro lifters on a solid cam.
tabetha

 

no problem mate thanks again for info had a look and sure its a hydro cam thanks for pointer great advice as always be buying u a bottle at xmas at this rate lmao

 

Empty one I hope, I don't drink!!
tabetha

 

haha me either although didnt say what kind of bottle :P lol al put some notes in it for ye lol cheers again mate