Does this camshaft number mean anything?

Nicad

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Following the lively header discussion I thought I should see what parts I might have in my engine and what type of power the builder of my engine was aiming for. (In the little I have driven it , it was quite constipated...hopefully from sitting for years on end)

It has short tube headers with 1.38 tubing and 1.525 after the collector

Triple Weber 45's

Most likely high compression pistons surmised by forum experts when I posted my compression test numbers.

The only number I can find on my camshaft is 1255 930

(It has BMW stamped on it, but could be reground I suppose)


So that is all I know. If I drop the pan can I tell if it is a 3.3 and can the view from below tell me anything else?

Tia
 
If I could get my eyes between the firewall and the camshaft that might be easy (provided my reading glasses could be squeezed in too). Thanks DQ.
 
If I could get my eyes between the firewall and the camshaft that might be easy (provided my reading glasses could be squeezed in too). Thanks DQ.

in some cases i have seen that the same number is marked on the visible rear end of the cam between the support and the first protuberance for the cyl 6 valve (dont know how to express this better)
 
Remove the bolts from the rear cam cover _ use a mirror and flashlight.
Look for a 3,.7, h,k,m.
Look for the color band between cam lobes 5&6- should be a blue band.
 
Thanks Don, will do. The colour I noticed appeared to be more of a Yellowy Green.
 
Ok, removed the cam cover, wasn't expecting a lot of washers to plop out. Hopefully I have them all. I am assuming these are some kind of preload for the rocker shafts? I counted a total of ten washers (this normal?).

When looking at the photo , I cannot discern any real numbering on the cam. My eyes aren't the best though.



Anyone able to glean anything from this shot?

Tia
 

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These are the washers that came out. They were between the cover and the rocker shafts. Any theories why they would be there?

There is a paper gasket below the cover and the head. (Pardon my ignorance Don, did you mean this paper gasket when you said "Seal") No rubber type washer to be found.

 
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Well that rear shot gets me a bit excited. That little stamped triangle is a good indicator that it was a bmw motorsport/alpina camshaft.

For example, here's another shot I snapped of another NOS MS/alpina cam.



If you get a chance to put some calipers on the lobes it would be good.
 
Bob,

There is a paper gasket under the cover / plate and one of the bolts (the one in the upper right of the photo) has an oil seal washer. I think it is just an aluminum compression like washer. The other bolts just have wave lock washers.
 

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Well that rear shot gets me a bit excited. That little stamped triangle is a good indicator that it was a bmw motorsport/alpina camshaft.

For example, here's another shot I snapped of another NOS MS/alpina cam.



If you get a chance to put some calipers on the lobes it would be good.

Yahoo!! That sounds great. That is exactly what it looks like. I get the feeling I am going to have to run Avgas in this motor!!

Let me know what measurements you would like. Are you saying to measure from the base of the lobe to the peak? I have a dial indicator if that would be of use.
 
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Bob,

There is a paper gasket under the cover / plate and one of the bolts (the one in the upper right of the photo) has an oil seal washer. I think it is just an aluminum compression like washer. The other bolts just have wave lock washers.

Yup, that is what was there. One thing about this motor, every bolt I have taken off has been very , very easy to unbolt, almost like it is a fresh rebuild....without any thread locker.
 
That seal at 3:00 is very special and very needed
Exaxmine the plate, the gasket and you will soon see
Why a special compression seal is needed for that one bolt.
There is a reason why no washers are used on the cam plate.
Too much torque will blow the gasket out of place
 
Yahoo!! That sounds great. That is exactly what it looks like. I get the feeling I am going to have to run Avgas in this motor!!

Let me know what measurements you would like. Are you saying to measure from the base of the lobe to the peak? I have a dial indicator if that would be of use.

Peak - Base = 7.6 mm for the MS/Alpina camshaft.

The 272 cam has 6.8 mm
 

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