Is it feasible to metal spray a cam?

bill dedman · 06-29-2011, 01:24 AM

You cannot buy a roller cam for a Mopar slant 6 because there are NO blanks for a roller in that engine. Nobody seems to have one.

You CAN get a blank made for $1,000.00, but it won't include the gear for the oil pump drive and distributor drive on it, requiring you to have to employ an aftermarket, accessory-drive oil pump (gilmer belt?) and a crank trigger ignition.... a lot of extra trouble and expense.

I was curious if any cam grinders were able to metal spray a new steel flat tappet cam with enough material to make a roller profile from that original flat tappet cam. I know it will take extra material for the "fatter" roller lobe profile.

Years ago, stroker cranks were created by metal sprayng to build up crankpins to larger diameters, which were then ground "offest" to increase the stroke. I don't think they use that method any more.... but I don't know.

Is metal spraying ever used on camshafts?

Is a roller-lifter cam subject to less damaging unit-loading than a flat tappet cam, since the lifter wheel just rolls over the surface, and doesn't abraid (abrade?) the surface, like a flat-tappet cam would? Or, does the roller's small contact area pose similar unit loading pressures, commensurate with a flat-tappet cam?

Is this just a terrible idea, and totally unworkable? I don't know where else to go to ask for reliable information.

Any ideas and information will be much appreciated!

Thanks...
Bill

06-29-2011, 01:24 AM	#1
bill dedman VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: Conway, AR Posts: 1,739 Likes: 0 Liked 6 Times in 4 Posts	Is it feasible to metal spray a cam? You cannot buy a roller cam for a Mopar slant 6 because there are NO blanks for a roller in that engine. Nobody seems to have one. You CAN get a blank made for $1,000.00, but it won't include the gear for the oil pump drive and distributor drive on it, requiring you to have to employ an aftermarket, accessory-drive oil pump (gilmer belt?) and a crank trigger ignition.... a lot of extra trouble and expense. I was curious if any cam grinders were able to metal spray a new steel flat tappet cam with enough material to make a roller profile from that original flat tappet cam. I know it will take extra material for the "fatter" roller lobe profile. Years ago, stroker cranks were created by metal sprayng to build up crankpins to larger diameters, which were then ground "offest" to increase the stroke. I don't think they use that method any more.... but I don't know. Is metal spraying ever used on camshafts? Is a roller-lifter cam subject to less damaging unit-loading than a flat tappet cam, since the lifter wheel just rolls over the surface, and doesn't abraid (abrade?) the surface, like a flat-tappet cam would? Or, does the roller's small contact area pose similar unit loading pressures, commensurate with a flat-tappet cam? Is this just a terrible idea, and totally unworkable? I don't know where else to go to ask for reliable information. Any ideas and information will be much appreciated! Thanks... Bill __________________ Bill