Cast core solid roller cams

Just picked up a used Herbert cam (HERCH6K) for the BBR and was a little disappointed to find it is a cast core roller cam.

Input? I am a little concerned about using it.

I wouldn't use one.

Ah hell I though you were gonna say that.

F.Y.I. all of the Comp rollers...hyd or solid are billet .

Those cast cores are the same "DUCTILE IRON" material which the factory hydraulic roller cores are made from.
Although it is cast, it is NOT simply cast IRON like a flat tappet core.

I wouldn't be afraid of it - IF it is not a radical flank lobe profile.

This is a used cam and here's what got me started thinking about it: There is the tiniest of tiny little ridge on either side of the wheel track on the opening ramp of most lobes. Like the spring pressures were too high. The rest of each lobe looks fine. It is not a radical profile at all.



I may just go with my #2 option which is have my current billet cam reground by Delta.

rmcomprandy wrote:Those cast cores are the same "DUCTILE IRON" material which the factory hydraulic roller cores are made from.
Although it is cast, it is NOT simply cast IRON like a flat tappet core.

I wouldn't be afraid of it - IF it is not a radical flank lobe profile.

Ive never seen a factory for cast roller cam??? What models didthose come in?

Dam man, I hate to be the guy to tell you this, but saving $12.00 on a used cam just isn't worth it.

Have your old acm reground, or switch to a solid flat tappet.

Greg

That cam is f-cked.

Greg_P wrote:Dam man, I hate to be the guy to tell you this, but saving $12.00 on a used cam just isn't worth it.
Greg

Aww comeon! That $12 is my lunch money for the week!

There were several engines which had cast DUCTILE iron hydraulic roller cores.
Pontiac Iron Duke 4 cylinder engines and Buick V-6's come to mind as well as some early 302 Ford Crown Vic, (302 firing order), camshafts.

The aftermarket cast core camshafts use that material.

"Back in the day", before steel billets were easily available, hi density cast cam cores were what most used. I gave, in the shop, 3 cast billet "Proferall" core cams, circa 1970, they are all Top Fuel solid roller cams 2 ENGLE's and 1 HOWARD. The spring setup, on these, is #200 to 220 on the seat and #390 to 425 OTN. Specs on the ENGLE's: Grind# L-169, IO 31° BTDC, IC 71° ABDC, EO 71° BBDC, EC 31° ATDC. Lash .020/.022, valve lift .548, gross cam lift .365, rocker ratio 1.5:1, duration @ .050 282°, 110° lobe centers. They are "Big Nasty Mutthas" currently in use for Nostalgia Top Fuel and Cackle Cars. Both these cams have just been "touched up" by ENGLE and look like new. The cam shown in the picture could easily be "touched up" by the original grinder or, altered slightly to an improved profile. NOTE!!! these were SERIOUS drag race ONLY cams for engines built to run 1320 feet....not 1321 feet. ALL of the flat tappet cams we ran in my old "Top Gas" dragster were these same cast billets and 39 years ago, to the day, we spun the motor PAST 11,000 RPM TWICE...and it lived.

The real advantage to that cam is you can use a cast dizzy gear instead of a bronze one... You're not planning on running crazy spring pressures are you?

No crazy springs here. 215/550

I will just have my existing steel cam reground. I am not going to chance it. I want to drive this thing!

what are the specs on said cam anyway??

RPM Range: 2500-6800
Advertised Duration: 286/290
Duration @ .050: 246/253
Lift: .663/.680
Lobe Center: 108c