Martin M Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Hi,only wanted to change the head against an unleaded one I had on the shelf, I just checked the cam followers as. Massive pitting 🙁 on half of them. Unfortunately the cam (standard one) shows pitting as well.So do I have to take the engine out or is it possible to change the cam from the front?Rest of the engine has 15.000 miles on it, so no need to rebore, ...Any experiences?CheersMartin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin M Posted March 29, 2016 Author Share Posted March 29, 2016 just had a look, and it should be possible to change from the front, but any experience what is less trouble? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GT6 M Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 I had good result wid a Piper HR 270 as it wer then, noo BP i think, a wee bit diffbutt basicly same cam, duration aboot same as a 25/65 but moer lift,45 thou moerthink its 24 64 64 24, 280 cam liftexhaust is same as inlet closing, so should be as good as the OE camIE nee bigg drop around 25-35 thou, as seems to happpen wid most cams that ev advanced ex valve opening like the Kent offereingshttp://www.pipercams.co.uk/pipercams/www/product.php?pid=TRBP270M Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebrookster Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 If you are happy and confident with the rest of the bottom end, then take the cam out the front. Bonnet is easily removed, and whip the radiator out as well, should be nice access.I'm with Marcus here, pep it up with a snazzier cam whilst you are at it!! MkIII spitty cam is also pretty good for the 1500 and keeps it Triumph, and has the advantage of being a common upgrade so plenty people around to assist.Cheers,Phil Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocita Rosso Posted March 29, 2016 Share Posted March 29, 2016 Just radiator removing should suffice eg; length of block vs space between block front and bonnet Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin M Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 yes, thinking about a cam change. Canley still offers the Spit MK3 cam on large journal. Piper a consideration worth as well.Piper available on small journal, so I could (if I take the engine out) install cam bearings.I think taking out the engine is worth doing. Sealing everything new after 12 years of trouble free operation should be well deserved by the engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocita Rosso Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Quoted from Martin M yes, thinking about a cam change. Canley still offers the Spit MK3 cam on large journal. Piper a consideration worth as well.Piper available on small journal, so I could (if I take the engine out) install cam bearings.I think taking out the engine is worth doing. Sealing everything new after 12 years of trouble free operation should be well deserved by the engine. Very wise and talk to ;Newman Cams Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin M Posted March 30, 2016 Author Share Posted March 30, 2016 just to please you ........ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Velocita Rosso Posted March 30, 2016 Share Posted March 30, 2016 Well shot....Newman also supply nitrided followers Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin M Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 wear and tear Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Jeez........! Is it old...... or a modernish repro part made from an old bean can?Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin M Posted April 11, 2016 Author Share Posted April 11, 2016 ... a repro one with a repro chain. 12 years old.Someone here in Germany has recently made a batch of nitrided tensioners and I will use a Rolon chain.Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted April 11, 2016 Share Posted April 11, 2016 Yes, sometimes the problem is more that the chain is not well finished on the outside...... Normally I re-use the old OE tensioner.Didn't realise you had a 1500 Spitfire as well?Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin M Posted April 12, 2016 Author Share Posted April 12, 2016 it all began 2002 with purchasing a Spit 1500. From what was anticipated as an easy job just putting it on the road again it developed to a total resto iob (I threw the Body and Chassis away as it was badly deformed in an accident, whereas the outer Body looked o.k. The Body was extensively and good welded but on a damaged chassis). I should have seen that but was blinded and trusted the seller. 2004 it was on the road again and performed faultlessly until today.GT6 was purchased 2004 as I was hooked again in cars. But resto began later.Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin M Posted May 2, 2016 Author Share Posted May 2, 2016 Engine running again.But it seems the needle isn´t right. above 3000 a bit sputtering and no power. At present standard ABT needle .Has someone the same cam in a 1500 and has some experience regarding the needle?Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky_spit Posted May 2, 2016 Share Posted May 2, 2016 What cam did you end up putting in it? Canley Mk3 grind on a large journal? Or something from Newman's? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin M Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 sorry, the Mk3 grind from Canleys on large Journal. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky_spit Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 Yes there is someone who has done exactly the same as you, but I can't remember his name or forum tag. Try searching the forum for Mk3 camshaft 1500 or something similar.I reckon you need AAQ and yellow springs at a minimum. Have you tried pulling the choke out when it splutters above 3000rpm? That would give you an indication as to whether it needs to be richer or not. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin M Posted May 3, 2016 Author Share Posted May 3, 2016 massive improvement.Took engine oil in the dampers instead the penrite SAE20 and mounted the standard air filter.But will go to a richer needle. Will compare AAT AAQ and AAR wit the ABT.Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nick Jones Posted May 3, 2016 Share Posted May 3, 2016 As I remember the standard ABT is really quite lean and almost any engine modification will make them too lean. Seems like the needle range you have up there is familiar but I can't remember now which I used. Might be some clues in the TT book - just have to find it.....Nick Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Martin M Posted June 8, 2016 Author Share Posted June 8, 2016 some running ReportEngine runs very nicely with the ABT needles and thicker (engine) oil in the dashpots. Pulls strong from low revs and happy to go until 4500. Beyond still reving further but with less "agility". So the cam is definitely a recommendation for the 1500 engine from my side.Plug colour a bit on the lean side, so plan is to go for an AAT or AAQ needle.Defenitely the exhaust note got sportier.Martin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hypoid53 Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 On my Spitfire 1500 fitted with the 65/25 cam and Phoenix exhaust manifold, I have been experimenting with needle and spring combinations. From ABT I went to AAT, and then AAQ with the original red spring. On the rolling road with the AAQ and yellow spring it was still a tad rich between 1200 and 2500rpm, so I have gone back to AAT with yellow spring and it has cured the mid-range richness. Still with standard air filters and Zenith 20 SAE oil in the dashpots, but it is purring like a kitten at the moment! Stiill work in progress though 😎 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sparky_spit Posted June 8, 2016 Share Posted June 8, 2016 That's good news Martin, and also encouraging for me too. I'm very slowly rebuilding a 1500 with Mk3 grind cam, big-valve head, big airbox, mappable ignition, etc and plan to start with AAQs and see where I need to go from there. I'd be interested to see how you get on with AAT and AAQ. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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