6 replies to this topic

[Deathrow]

The cam followers I got with my SW5 don't have any oil holes in them but I've seen cam followers that do have oil holes in them.

Is there a correct type to use in my 1275? Are they made for different blocks with differing design or what?

Any help would be great, I don't want to make a mistake with these.

Edited by Deathrow, 30 May 2009 - 12:12 PM.

[Big_Adam]

From the big yellow bible I remembr that ones with holes can crack at very high rpms.

2secs, I shall check the shelf.

Quote;

"If you can use the type of cam follower without the hole in it then so much the better, as the oil hole dosen@t really appear to be conducive to the extra life. Plenty of oil finds it way around the cam follower without the hole."

Vizard - How to tune the A-Series engine. P334 Third Edition.

[Deathrow]

From the big yellow bible I remembr that ones with holes can crack at very high rpms.

2secs, I shall check the shelf.

Quote;

"If you can use the type of cam follower without the hole in it then so much the better, as the oil hole dosen@t really appear to be conducive to the extra life. Plenty of oil finds it way around the cam follower without the hole."

Vizard - How to tune the A-Series engine. P334 Third Edition.

Thanks mate!

I did skim the bible for the answer but I must have missed that bit.

I feel much happier about putting them in now .

Thanks again.

[MRA]

Also......... any exces oil has to go down the side of the follower, thus in theory lubricating the complete follower

[liirge]

the hole also weakens the follower, probably not applicable to your usage...but still a reason to use a solid job!

[mini7boy]

the hole also weakens the follower, probably not applicable to your usage...but still a reason to use a solid job!

unless it is machined improperly, a follower with an oil hole is perfectly reliable. Many, if not most, of serious race engines use them without incident.

Better to buy them drilled rather than drilling them oneself.

[MRA]

Drilling the oil hole is a no no, the drill will leave cut marks in the surface of the hole and these will lead to possible stress fractures and failure.

Irrespective of the method used to create the oil hole in the side of the follower it will weaken it......

Reliability depends on how good they where to start, and how good the surface finish is and what "treatments" have been applied etc....

However the oil hole serves no purpose other than as a drain, so in racing the oil hole may give a very slight decrease in the weight "seen" by the valve train geometry, of course in racing every gram counts, but on the other hand if the top of the follower is not getting much oil then when it touches the block it will cause a higher friction load and more noise.......

plus a race engine will typically have a strip down on a more regular basis than a road engine and a new set of followers fitted.......

Swings and roundabouts syndrome

Regards Martin