cam pin dowel - Ford Muscle Forums : Ford Muscle Cars Tech Forum

fasterdamitt · 09-08-2007, 04:47 PM

I was installing a new Comp cam and they forgot the dowel pin. I have one laying around that slides in but does not need tapped with a hammer to get in. Will this work or does it have to be press fit? By the way, the cam bolt washer keeps the dowel pin from coming out.

Thanks

Jetfixr320 · 09-08-2007, 05:10 PM

The dowel pin on my Edelbrock cam isnt press fit. It should be just fine.

n2omike · 09-08-2007, 05:26 PM

A lot of those don't fit tight, but should. They look like a 5/16" pin, but are really a few thou undersize. If you try to use a 5/16" pin, you'll find it to be really tight, and hard to get in unless you freeze the pin and heat the cam. Of course a 5/16" pin will also be a little big for the timing gear.

Search here for hardened dowell pin

McMaster-Carr

You can do like me and get a HARDENED 5/16" pin from McMaster, cut it to length, do like above to get it in and ream out the timing gear...

Or if the fit is at least a -little- tight, you can use the green sleeve retainer to hold it in place. Sold by Permatex, it's like mega-loc-tite. I was able to buy some at the local Advance Auto Parts.

Go around 3/4 the way down the page...

Caswell Inc. - Permatex® Threadlockers

If memory serves, the 2-piece eccentric has a tab that fits in the cam pin hole of the timing gear, making it harder for it to come loose. (these use the shorter pin) Not so with the one piece eccentric. These use a longer pin that has no outside method of keeping it from coming out. (why I had to do it the 'hard' way)

Good Luck!

fasterdamitt · 09-08-2007, 05:36 PM

Alot of good info there. Thanks for the effort.

mavman · 09-08-2007, 07:40 PM

Something that I have noticed more lately is that a lot of roller cams are coming with 7/16" threads instead of 3/8" threads in the end. That in itself will help lock the timing gear to the camshaft because the fine thread 7/16" bolt will put more load between the two parts.

I always put a little sleeve retainer on the end of the timing gear, then tighten it all up. Never had an issue...and the cam I'm running now does have pretty good lift and duration---and a 3/8" bolt--and the dowel just pushed in pretty loosely. You can also get cams with double dowels now too, IIRC.

fasterdamitt · 09-09-2007, 11:41 AM

Check out what Crane Cams say on their site:

4) Broken dowel pins or keys.
The dowel pin or Woodruff key does not drive the cam; the torque of the timing gear bolt, or bolts, against the front of the cam drives the cam. Some reasons for the dowel pin or key failing are: Bolts not being torqued to correct specs; Incorrect bolts of a lower grade being used; Stretching and losing torque; Not using the correct hardened washer that may distort and cause torque of the bolt to change; LocTite not being used; Or some interference with the cam and lifters or connecting rods causing the cam to stop rotation.

bmcd66250 · 09-10-2007, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by n2omike

Not so with the one piece eccentric. These use a longer pin that has no outside method of keeping it from coming out. (why I had to do it the 'hard' way)

Good Luck!

If you use the correct washer under the cam bolt it will contain the dowel pin on a 1-piece eccentric setup.

n2omike · 09-10-2007, 07:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmcd66250

If you use the correct washer under the cam bolt it will contain the dowel pin on a 1-piece eccentric setup.

Come to think of it... You are correct. The pin extends the thickness of the eccentric, and is covered by the large, thick washer, making it impossible to come out all the way.

Thanks for the clarification. I had the wrong picture in my mind. (brain fart)