The cam followers were changed midway through the Spitfire Mk II in 1965,
depending on the rules you could use a later block (note these blocks also
have larger cam journals and can therefore have cam bearings fitted). Almost
certainly there will be only one manufacturing source for the early cam
followers (144343), Canley Classics list them at #7 each - don't worry too
much about trying to do anything with them - the followers themselves very
rarely fail. Much more important is to make sure the cam has been rehardened
if it is a reprofiled one, a new one shouldn't be touched but make sure
(from the supplier) a repofile has been either tuftrided or ferritic nitro
carburised. The finish should be dull grey, if it is a shiny black it hasn't
been hardened.
John Kipping
----- Original Message -----
From: "Mark J. Bradakis" <mjb@autox.team.net>
To: <fot@autox.team.net>
Sent: Tuesday, June 14, 2005 5:19 AM
Subject: Re: Cam followers for 1147 engine
> Claus' message was sent in badly formed HTML, so the plain text
> filter deleted it all as junk. Here's what he asked:
>
> I'm having a new cam in my Spitfire 4 engine which runs the small
> diameter cam followers. Apparantly there is not much demand for
> better (lightened, drilled, hardened or similar) followers in the
> small diameter, and so far I have only found standard cam followers -
> and they are actually pricier than the upgraded bigger diameter type
> for the later engines.
>
> It seems the present followers are the standard ones, and there are in
> perfectly good shape after 1 1/2 season of racing. However the new cam
> has more lift and will be much harder on the followers than my present
> cam (which was newly fitted to the car when I bought it, and is
> apparantly of standard Spitfire factory Stage 2-type), so I'd like to
> make sure the valve train will take it. I'm having stronger pushrods
> as well. By the way we're not allowed to bore the engine to take the
> later followers, and I'm told that boring will not necessarily be
> succesful either.
>
> SO: Can anyone lead me to a supplier of good small diameter cam
> followers for the 1147 engine - preferably in Europe?
>
> Best regards,
>
> Claus Ebberfeld
> Denmark
>
>
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