Time to freshen / rebuild my F-head 161. Very preliminary look at head, intake valves and cylinders seems to say, low mileage, minimal wear engine. Just got it on the stand and will take a look at the mains and rod bearings in the coming week. Question is... I've got two used cams and it's not likely I can find a NOS example. I'd like to get a little more aggressive grind and wonder about using one of these used cams?

Thanks:
Paul

Why not? Have to inspect carefully for wiped lobes (all it takes is one), worn journals, bent, gear trashed.
The undercut is going to be pretty small, with any luck within your existing tappet adjuster range. If not, lash caps.
Not familiar with the engine?

Here a few pics for info.. Cylinder head and intake valve area. 1.75 valve seems generous given the size of the engine.



The block, 3.125 bore, stroke 3.5, exhaust valves are 1.25



It has an integral head/intake with a Carter yf. I have another head that I have been working on. I milled the side off the intake area and am fabricating a manifold for two Carter yh side draft carbs. These engines were made in Brazil with two Carter yf down draft carbs so I don't think I'm going overboard.



I've already fabricated headers and have been running them while I was debugging the first runs of the truck.



Why do this on such a small engine?...Gotta try something different now and then, right?

Almost all of the cams I have used were regrinds of stock camshafts. Of course it is much better to use a stock steel one versus a cast one but for a milder cam cast iron is just fine. In 1961 the first cam I installed in a 265 was a regrind by Owens in Southgate, Ca. and worked with all stock valve train. I see no reason the base circle cannot be made .100" smaller and gain .070-.080" lift + some duration. There are many small cam shops thru out the country who would gladly help with what I would call a "RV" grind. Central Calif has Elgin and if he could be found Donnie Johanson, Howards son, has done numerous regrinds for Inliners.....Good Luck

Thanks very much for the replies. I'll pick the best of the two and make a couple of calls.

Paul

Nice truck...ever thought of putting a Toronado, or an Eldorado engine and tranny in the bed ? an' maybe choppin' the top?

Lol...No, Preacher. Never thought of that. Was too busy turning a bag of unrelated parts into what it is now. It's been an ongoing challenge.

Paul

Don't pay no never mind to Preacher , he's still trying to remember where he left his choir , as Jimmy six suggested the folks at Elgin are great , http://www.elgincams.com/ , Cam Craft, http://camcraftcams.com/ , out of Arden NC may be able to help.

I had really good luck with Schneider cams. They were great to talk too, spent time on the phone with me, and ground me a great cam for my new 261 motor.

I resemble that remark!!! you old mountain goat