Cam journal groove


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By patm - 10 Years Ago
I have a new Isky cam, grind E-4, part number 301444.  The groove in the center journal is round, but it's depth ranges from .014 to .019.  The groove is not concentric to the journal. 

Some time ago, Ted said "The advantage of the cross drilled camshaft is the repeated surge of oil pressure which does help to keep the passages clearer longer".  Is it possible that Isky did this to achieve a similar result?  Just a thought.

My preference is not to pressurize the rockers but let the overflow lube the distributor gear and timing chain.  If I cut the journal groove to .035 deep, will I sacrafice overall oil pressure?  

The engine has not been assembled.

Pat in AZ      



By paul2748 - 10 Years Ago
There is a recommended depth to the groove.  The search button didn't work for me.  Hopefully, some one will post it.
By PF Arcand - 10 Years Ago
I think John Mummert posted or printed  it at some point, but unforunately I don't recall the figure. However, 0.014 to 0.019 sounds rather shallow. Hopefully someone else will recall it. Our moderator, Ted, has one or more oiling improvements he recommends & Schumanns Sales (Iowa) sells a grooved bearing for the problem, if you wanted to go that route.
By aussiebill - 10 Years Ago
patm (1/19/2015)
I have a new Isky cam, grind E-4, part number 301444.  The groove in the center journal is round, but it's depth ranges from .014 to .019.  The groove is not concentric to the journal. 

Some time ago, Ted said "The advantage of the cross drilled camshaft is the repeated surge of oil pressure which does help to keep the passages clearer longer".  Is it possible that Isky did this to achieve a similar result?  Just a thought.

My preference is not to pressurize the rockers but let the overflow lube the distributor gear and timing chain.  If I cut the journal groove to .035 deep, will I sacrafice overall oil pressure?  

The engine has not been assembled.

Pat in AZ      




Increaseing the depth to app .035" will help, wont effect pressure, The gears /chain get enough oil regardless, i like to reduce the outlet tube with a squeeze, others will have their views.
By patm - 10 Years Ago
Thank you all for the responses.

Pat in AZ
By airman - 10 Years Ago

mummerts web site says .35 is what is needed and he corrects this on his cams he sells, ive seen the rockers that had bad oil delivery and the shafts looked horrible and rockers were grooved badly, id worry about the rocker assembly more than the distributor, I pressurized my shafts, the groove makes a big difference to life of the engine or this wouldn't be a big topic, id go with what he recommends at .35 deep
By airman - 10 Years Ago
sorry its .035 deep for the center journal
By steinauge - 10 Years Ago
I am using an Isky cam in my engine.I put it in the lathe and cut the center groove to a depth of .030" and widened the groove by .005" before installation.I got those dimensions by measuring 2 old OEM cams.It seems to be working well so far.