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[TR] Camshaft selections - TRactor Engines

Subject: [TR] Camshaft selections - TRactor Engines
From: spook01 at comcast.net (spook01@comcast.net)
Date: Mon, 27 Jun 2011 09:39:24 -0500
Remember these are non counterweighted cranks.  They will rev to a max of 6500 
with a fully prepped engine..a truly prepped engine.
There is a guy who builds proper counterweighted knife edged cranks - I bought 
one for my MG TB a while back - but that's overkill for a street car.
Another note: the rods on these cars stretch slightly at high rpm.  Wavelock 
type rod bolts/studs should be used. If you are using the stock bolts be sure 
to use a mechanical device to prevent the bolt from moving, such as the little 
tabs.  Lock tite will fail because heat generated will soften it....remember, 
you remove locktite with heat!

Sent from my Verizon Wireless Phone

----- Reply message -----
From: "TeriAnn J. Wakeman" <tjwakeman at gmail.com>
To: <triumphs at autox.team.net>
Subject: [TR] Camshaft selections - TRactor Engines
Date: Mon, Jun 27, 2011 08:42


On 6/26/11 10:45 PM, Randall wrote:
> However, even the stock camshaft should pull OK out beyond 5000 rpm.  The
> factory redline was not because the engine ran out of cam, but because they
> weren't sure it would hold together for the entire warranty period if turned
> faster than that.

Which makes the standard cam good for for a stock engine and maybe a mild 260 
cam might have a bit more pull approaching 5000 RPM.  Bigger cams, like a 280 
degree cam pulls strong into the 6000 RPM area  but that is not an area where 
stock engines should be playing.


 if memory serves, the reason for the 5000 RPM red line is that there is a real 
nasty harmonic around 5200 - 5400 RPM that breaks the crank at the base of the 
flywheel mounting flange if you spend much time in the low 5000 RPM range.

The whole purpose of the common harmonic dampener kit is to tame that harmonic.

I don't remember exactly where it is but I believe the next major harmonic is 
in the low to mid 6000 RPM range and it tends to break cranks in the middle and 
beat up the middle main bearing.  Spend much time in that range and it probably 
would not hurt to drop the pan and inspect main bearings every once and a while.

That said, fully prepped race engines often run at 6500 with a nitrided stock 
crank.

My TR3 has the harmonic dampener kit and a nitrided crank.  I usually shift at 
6000 RPM when I'm on it and the engine has held together well.  I have a 280 
degree cam that pulls strongly to about 6000 RPM and has a wide peak.  But with 
a totally stock engine I would shift at 5000 RPM just because I worry about 
major harmonics.

Getting back to cams, compression affects how well they work.  If you have a 
TR4 head & 87mm pistons the 260 degree cam might be best.  But if you have the 
TR3 head with less squish area you might see added benefit with a 280 degree 
cam and a harmonic dampener kit.  You need to go to an electric pusher fan if 
you go to the harmonic dampener kit.

There have been soft lifters offered for sale over the years. Either buy new 
lifters that have already been individually hardness tested or have them tested 
before installing. Each should be Rockwell  hardness or 56 or above.

And be sure to use an oil with adequate ZDDP.

Teriann


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