21 replies to this topic

[MikeJE]

Forumites have kindly advised in the past that the 998 engine in my '62 Woody is less than optimal having a 1275  head, twin one and a quarter SUs and a 286 cam. Having run it for a while, I agree. The cam delivers little low end torque (but revs nicely) and the tickover is lumpy at best. As I use the car for ordinary road use (it came with that configuration) I am thinking about fitting another cam. The questions I have, for which I would be most grateful for the forum's wisdom, are -

 

1. What cam would be best for the above configuration, and

2. Can the cam be changed with the engine in-situ (I did wonder about this, if radiator, timing cover and so on were removed)?

 

Very many thanks

 

Safe driving

 

Mike

[cal844]

On a 998 you can change the cam with the engine in place, it is a bit of a fiddle but can be done.

Id recommend a 266 or 276 cam. Also consider getting the car rolling roaded and optimised for the set up you have

Edited by cal844, 29 March 2022 - 09:44 AM.

[whistler]

The minispares evo001 is a lovely cam for low down torque. minispares also do a matching distributor, both at reasonable cost.

[panky]

When the 1275 head was fitted to your small bore block there would have been a modification done to prevent the exhaust valves hitting the block (pocketing the bores or recessing valves). Make sure any extra lift on the new cam you use won't cause any clearance issues between valves and block.

[Cooperman]

The 286 cam is really unsuitable for a 998, especially for road use. In fact it is not ideal in a 1275 as a road cam - it is really a competition cam and it goves maximum power at c.6400 rpm in a 1275.

The Evo001 is a great cam for a 998. If the block is already pocketed for a 286, you will not need to pocket it any more for an Evo001 as the maximum lift is no more.

You will be delighted with a 998 with an Evo001. It should pull smoothly from around 2400 rpm right up to 6000 rpm.

[MikeJE]

Thank you so much everyone. I should have mentioned that my engine is a pre A+ and, looking at the Minispares website, the Evo001 seems to be available for the A+ (slot drive) only.

 

The 266 seems popular, too, and is available for pre A+ engines so I may have no choice but to go for that.

 

Thanks for the advice about changing the cam with the engine in. It is really difficult to get the engine out (especially at my age!) so if I can do it in-situ that will make it doable.

 

As always, thank you all for taking the time to reply

 

Take care and drive safely

 

Mike 

[Turbo Phil]

Have a chat with AC Dodd, his range of camshafts seem to give excellent results.

Phil.

[bpirie1000]

I would suggest that by the time you spend the money to get the power you want and the labour to hve it done then just bite the bullet and have a 1275 sourced and modify that u til you are ready to throw it in the car..

Car will be off the road for minimal time and will always have a spare original engine available ifmyou decide to sell the car on.. original cars seam to get more money resale side..

[MikeJE]

I would suggest that by the time you spend the money to get the power you want and the labour to hve it done then just bite the bullet and have a 1275 sourced and modify that u til you are ready to throw it in the car..

Car will be off the road for minimal time and will always have a spare original engine available ifmyou decide to sell the car on.. original cars seam to get more money resale side..

 

Good point, thanks, but the engine has only relatively recently been rebuilt (to an excellent standard) by OAP . It already had the 286 cam so was rebuilt with that, but now I am driving her more I have noticed the lack of low end power so I have to work the gears more than I like hence my thoughts of a different cam. But I do like the idea of having a spare engine so will give that some thought.

 

Best wishes

 

Mike

[MikeJE]

Have a chat with AC Dodd, his range of camshafts seem to give excellent results.

Phil.

 

Many thanks, Phil, I will see what he can offer.

 

Kind regards

 

Mike

[Cooperman]

Thank you so much everyone. I should have mentioned that my engine is a pre A+ and, looking at the Minispares website, the Evo001 seems to be available for the A+ (slot drive) only.

 

The 266 seems popular, too, and is available for pre A+ engines so I may have no choice but to go for that.

 

Thanks for the advice about changing the cam with the engine in. It is really difficult to get the engine out (especially at my age!) so if I can do it in-situ that will make it doable.

 

As always, thank you all for taking the time to reply

 

Take care and drive safely

 

Mike 

These days most people changing the cam will also fit a new oil pump and the slot-drive is the best type to fit. I'm 81 and get the engine out quite easily. It really is not difficult.

[MikeJE]

 

Thank you so much everyone. I should have mentioned that my engine is a pre A+ and, looking at the Minispares website, the Evo001 seems to be available for the A+ (slot drive) only.

 

The 266 seems popular, too, and is available for pre A+ engines so I may have no choice but to go for that.

 

Thanks for the advice about changing the cam with the engine in. It is really difficult to get the engine out (especially at my age!) so if I can do it in-situ that will make it doable.

 

As always, thank you all for taking the time to reply

 

Take care and drive safely

 

Mike 

These days most people changing the cam will also fit a new oil pump and the slot-drive is the best type to fit. I'm 81 and get the engine out quite easily. It really is not difficult.

 

Oh, I didn't realise this (change of oil pump) could be done (in fact it may already have been done - is there any way I can check without dismantling too much?). I have had the engine out twice and it is quite a pain as the exhaust is non standard and it has the gearbox extension which makes it difficult to swing out. It is doable but I need to steel myself to do it! And perhaps not during the summer but rather make it a winter job.

 

Really very grateful to you all for your responses.

 

Take care and safe driving

 

Mike

[coopertaz]

much easier to time in the cam with engine out and can't change pump with engine in

[MikeJE]

much easier to time in the cam with engine out and can't change pump with engine in

 

Thank you. I think you're right and I have resigned myself to removing the engine later in the year. I can then address also the lack of synchro in 3rd gear causing a nasty crunch sometimes when changing up or down (something that was supposed to be done at the last gearbox overhaul a couple of years ago!).

 

With best wishes and safe driving

 

Mike

[super6al]

Just my opinion, I know its work & probably the wrong time of year to be considering it, but if theres any kind of crunching in the gearbox I would remove the lot & sort it out. Any kind of metal debris will floating around will wreck your engine & cause a lot more work than you already have.

Alan