hi, just taken cam out of engine to see what it is. but there are no numbers or anything on it...

How can i identify what it is?

thanks.

If its a Factory Cam sometimes they have a series of bands around the shaft, with that and the type of oil pump drive you have you can sometimes work it out...

Otherwise you'll need to brake out the dial guage...

Does that help? I can give you more info if you need but is that what you were getting at?

ok. i have totally no experience with cams and minis. learning as i go. My dads got a fair idea but doesnt know how to id it. i could show you a photo?

that would be great,

can you get one of the whole shaft side on and also of the end for the oil pump drive? I can pcik a few of the factory cams, but if I draw a blank I'm sure someone can help you here

thanks. pic will be up around 5minutes.

a bit longer then expected, sorry.

ok, it doesn't appear to be a factory cam... it looks like it might have been reground at some point just looking at the round profile of the noses but I could be wrong,, there doesn't appear to be any material removed from the base circle radius of the cam which is usually a give away that it has been reground (but not always)...

You might need to check the cam with a dial guage,, the easiest way I know of is to put it back in the block with the head off, and the timing gear and chain on, a push rod down the push rod hole on cyl no.1 on the intake and then on the exhaust, and a 360 degree protractor on the end of the crank..

I'd dearly love to tell you how I check them,,, but your thread will end up derailed for sure with a debate over the colour of the sky or something stupid.. If it starts looking dire I'll jump in and write up a how to on checking a cam,,, and then run like a mo fo to escape the burning wreckage!!

edit---> I can tell you that it is a spider drive oil pump,,, and a 1/2" lobe!!

Phat, don't sweat it! I'm reasonably sure that you would be able to describe it here.

Yes, I agree, it does not appear a factory cam. You can check it for yourself with a dial gauge and 360 degree protractor. It's not that difficult, but you cannot rush it either, so make sure you've a bit of time.

You may also be able to take it to some of the cam grinding comanies, Some of these will check it for you (and check for consistancy) and provide you a print out. They would most likely charge for that service, but I wouldn't think it to be much.

How did the car drive (assuming you drove it with this cam)? Do it perform / behave in a way the you liked? Is so, maybe just stick with it and not worry too much about particular numbers.

ok, thanks. ill get to work

the cam is not what i want in there at all. doesnt pull at all. comes in around 2800-3000 and is dead by 5400. plus im supercharging it so i need to look at a different cam so it works well with the supercharger.

thanks.

Sounds like a leyland "fuel economy" cam & definitely not what you want

_________________
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There can be a lot a reasons for this aside from the Cam. It sounds very much like it's running out of breath. Air Filter, Carbies (fuel mixture been set up on a dyno? Sized correctly for the job?), Inlet Manifold, Cylinder Head (Ports and Valves), Ignition System (Automatic Advance Curve correct for the characteristics of the engine?), Exhaust Manifold (Extractors) and Exhaust System all play a big part here. Also how the Cam was timed with reference to the crank can play a part.

Certainly the Camshaft can play a major part in haw the engine behaves, but it should not be looked at in isolation of the rest of the engine components.

I'd suggest you get you hands on a couple of tuning books so you can get up to speed with some theory. There are some really good ones about, and they don't need to be ones for the Mini (although this would be better).

ok thanks for that. ill certainly do some reading. the engine has extractors and the head has been worked. ported. all done from the previous owner so ill have to have a play around.
thanks.