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BJ8 cam question -- Regrind and Where?

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David_K

David_K

Jedi Hopeful
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Pulled the cam out and measured the lobes.

Stock cam lobe 1.388"

The best messurement we got was 1.383" and the worst 1.370"

Now the question is where should we have a cam regrind performed? I've heard good things about Delta Camshafts in Washington and have one of their cams in my MGB. I've also heard Isky is good for regrinds and hardens then "correctly" for used with hardened lifters.

Also, The head is at the shop being rebuilt and its up in the air if the head is recieving a light porting. We'll find this out Monday when we get ahold of the machine shop owner. Would it be better to stick with the stock grind or choose a slightly milder lift like a 260 duration?

One more thing, As BJ8s have Flat top pistons what is the most common way to boost compression to 9.5:1 or 10:1? The motor has fresh .030 over AE pistons so I don't think I will be changing pistons. Can the head be decked to achieve higher compression or are domed pistons a more common practice?

I know thats a lot of questions, but its a Saturday!

Thanks! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/hammer.gif /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cheers.gif
 
David, Holman Automotive in Charlotte can regrind your cam. Check out their web site at www.holmanmoody.com.
I personally wouldn't be to eager about raising the compression on your engine by decking the head. This may be inviting troube as its already a fairly high compression engine and the head can't afford to give up to much strenghth by cutting it down. Have someone that is an expert on Healeys install the cam bearings...it takes tooling that most machine shops don't have. Just my opinion others will probably disagree.There was a thread about cams and horsepower ratings a while back you can probably find in the search that may be useful. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/yesnod.gif Bob
 
Hi David,
Just remember that removing material from the head is a one way trip. High compression pistons can be swapped out. If you do some skimming and increase the lift of the cam, you may also need to remove material from the block under the exhaust valves. Before too much work has been done, I think you should get a clear picture of what you want this car to do. Make a game plan and stick to it.
Rereading my post, it sounds a little harsh, please don’t take it that way. Just trying to save you a little stress down the road, as it were.
 
Thanks for the responses. The compression boost was more of a I'd like to know for reference but just read earlier about the valve relief notches being needed in the block.

I've got one of the best machinist in the nation working on the cylinder head so no worries there! Will have him install the cam bearings too.
 
Holman did my cam and I love it, does your machinist know he has to ream (NOT HONE TO SIZE) the cam bearings after he has installed them in the block?
 
Yes, my machinist knows what he's doing. He's one of THE best in the country.

I got my cam reground to fast road specs (271 duration / 406 lift) by Comp Cams.
 
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