Datsun Camshafts & Valve Timing - A MUST READ!

[Lurch]

Guys,
This is a MUST READ topic for ANYONE interested in selecting a performance camshaft for their L series engine.
Baz from Datsport was kindly given permission to reprint this on his website for all us fortune people!
It does go through the basics at first, but I found it refreshing to re-read it all again.
I suggest you only read it a few chapters at a time to let the info sink in...

Enjoy

http://www.datsport.com/racer-brown.html

[Cdr Zero]

Wow!  Fantastic resource, bookmarked!  Thankyou for sharing! 

[modular9]

perfect timing and great resource. thanks for the heads up. 

[gav240z]

It is an ABSOLUTE NO-NO to remove the cam towers from the cylinder head because it is nearly impossible to restore correct cam bearing bore alignment after they have been removed.

I have heard this before also. I think its important to point out. I've seen a couple of members recently showed pics of engine heads with no cam towers on them.

Can anyone else verify this?

[sexual_sushi]

I have heard this before also. I think its important to point out. I've seen a couple of members recently showed pics of engine heads with no cam towers on them.

Can anyone else verify this?

I have been watching Ztherapy's tuning videos and he also mentions not removing the cam towers for the reasons mentioned above

[Scoota G]

So what about when you shave the head and shim the cam towers?

[Lurch]

It's an old wives tale - If you torque the head down in sequence & check the cam isn't binding, it'll be fine

[2+2er]

I did some time in an engine reco shop and there can be problems with the cam binding if the head has been over heated and the towers are not re installed in the same order.

Always mark each tower and base with a centre punch before you remove them and you should be fine, however it was good practice to only remove the towers when absolutely necessary.

Shims are mainly used to maintain the timing (distance) between the cam and crankshaft. An adjustable cam timing gear will do a similar thing only better.

[hunterzed]

The link isn't working for me. Has it been taken down?

[luvemfast]

The link isn't working for me. Has it been taken down?

Used to work, I hope someone saved the file.
I was going to read it when I was closer to an engine rebuild.

[gav240z]

Used to work, I hope someone saved the file.
I was going to read it when I was closer to an engine rebuild.

Archive.org baby!

http://web.archive.org/web/20080721214115/http://www.datsport.com/Racer_Brown_Menu.html

If that doesn't work for you, let me know

[Ben]

A true Datsun fan would have the original text handy (How To Modify...), and ideally a first edition.

[hunterzed]

A true Datsun fan would have the original text handy (How To Modify...), and ideally a first edition.

Hey!!!! I resemble that remark. 

[Lurch]

Jeez you guys are hopeless...!

Barry has redesigned his site - the racer brown article is still there:
http://www.datsport.com/racer-brown.html

[jamo240]

I Know this is an old post, but I thought I'd add to what Lurch said about cam tower changes.

It absolutely is an old wives tale that you can't do it! I took the towers off my early 240 head and put them on a late model N42 head so I could retain the spray bar oiling system....therefore not only did i take the towers off, i put them on a different head!

There was never a wiff of a problem....I just kept turning the cam as I torqued the head down, and no problem emerged, and when the bolts were all done up it turned just fine and then I put the rockers back in, and it's been going for many years now with no issues.

Cheers