How to change a camshaft on ford flathead engine

[CheatersPete]

today, i decide to change my camshaft on my model A coupe.

Problem, i folow exactly the position of the old cam, and put my ISKY in place, change the pushrod for newadjustable one and mercury ignition, now it's time to fire.

Engine run like shit, very low rpm, turn like PATAPARATAPA AND NO power, less than the original truck cam.

what's wrong??? do i make a mistake with de degrees on cam??
i have check the ignition timing, valve clearance, etc.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[Digger_Dave]

[ QUOTE ]
Problem, I followed exactly the position of the old cam, and put my ISKY in place, changed the pushrods (lifters) for new adjustable ones and Mercury ignition, now it's time to fire.

...what's wrong??? did I make a mistake with the degrees on cam??...

I have check the ignition timing, valve clearance, etc.... http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

To try and help you; what year of engine are we discussing? And what heads and intake (number of carbs) are you using?

Things to check:
Is cam gear the original? (fiber) For best results you should use an aluminum cam gear.

What type (number) of Isky cam did you install? Some need a different cam gear from stock. (slight offset from stock timming)

Is your distributor front drive, or top drive? If top drive, how much wear is there on the drive gear?
You mention Mercury ignition; is it stock? If the cam is a bit radical it could be upsetting the vacume to the distributor advance.

Sorry if I seem to be asking more questions than you did, but it's hard to help without knowing more about your problem.

[CheatersPete]

My engine is a french flathead, the cam is ISKY 364 degrees, original merc ignition, alum timing gear.

i think the big problem come from my cam position, because i have no timing mark on my crankshaft. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif

[gregg]

The timing mark isn't on the crank; it's on the gear. The marks should "see" each other.

[CheatersPete]

yes, they should see eachother.!

if i do not have mark on the crank even on the gear!!!! how can i do it??

[Digger_Dave]

[ QUOTE ]
The timing mark isn't on the crank; it's on the gear. The marks should "see" each other.

[/ QUOTE ]

Just to expand on that; look on the front of the crank gear that drives the cam gear; there should be a small dimple. The dimple on the cam gear and the crank gear should "see" or be in the same place when correctly aligned.

Only trouble is; I'm not sure if the French crank gear has a dimple on it.

Your reply snuck in while I was expanding on the position.

If there is NO mark on the French crank gear I think your going to have to set #1 cylinder (right bank, front) on Top Dead Center (with the cam gear off) and rotate the cam until the mark on the cam gear is pointing down. (a straight edge ruler should fall from the center line of the cam to the dimple on the cam gear to the center line of the crank)

This will mean taking the cam gear off and putting it back on until you have the cam in the proper position.

[CheatersPete]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]


Only trouble is; I'm not sure if the French crank gear has a dimple on it.

[/ QUOTE ]

me too http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif, give you more info tomorow, it's 2 in the morning for me http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
thanks for your help guys http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[53_210]

While we're asking questions, who's the chick in the white ass pants?

[Digger_Dave]

[ QUOTE ]
While we're asking questions, who's the chick in the white ass pants?

[/ QUOTE ]

Think your in the wrong thread.
We are trying to help this fellow with a technical problem.

How about you DELETE your reply.

[CheatersPete]

So, today was a new day for me.

I have found the timing mark on the crankshaft (youpi) so , i fix everythings right, the timing mark of the camand crank see ech other. TDC was good (of course), fire up and same as yesterday, no power no rpm very hard running. so i decide to try advanced and rearted the cam, same result, after fucking lost time, i decide to take all apart one last time and drive the original cam, and now it run great again as 2 days before. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
why, do i need a special ignition? maybe french flat are special cam? not really i have check and they look like the same exept duration and lift.

do i need a flathead professional mecanician, YES http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

For the girl, she's a slut, she never help[ me at the garage! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[Digger_Dave]

Cheater, I have to confess I'm not "up to speed" on the French flathead (other than, I'm using French connecting rods in my 59A)

So I would like to suggest you contact Mr. Red Hamilton of Red's Headers in Fort Bragg CA. He is very familure with the French flatheads.

Telephone # 707 - 964 - 7733
OR you could send an email and ask if there are differences in the French camshafts.

The email address is - info@reds-headers.com

His web site is: http://www.reds-headers.com Lots of good tech information here!

Sorry I can't be of more help. Good luck, and let me know how it goes.
Dave

[CheatersPete]

Thanks dave, i e-mail him right now, and let you know, what's going on.

[CheatersPete]

no answer from him!

anybody else have an idea http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif