Camshaft

This has come up be before but can't find the post, can't remember there being any issues as long as you make sure you follow the rules on scrolled journals and bushes ie one must be scrolled at least, can be either or both but not neither.

Made at Plumstead?

Dear michael,

Can't help with the P, however having replaced camshaft in a late 850 would suggest you check end float, mine had a good 1/8 and needed extra washer to make sure cam lobes and followers stay lined up properly.

regards Martin

Previously Michel Vincent wrote:

There is a washer, which has a chamfered face, and I suppose this goes towards the centre (the rev counter drive mesh), with the flat face against the bush. I suppose also that end float should be measured with camshaft sprocket in place, and nut tightened?

That is exactly right. It prevents the worm gear eating the right side bush and the chamfer prevents the tach drive gear grabbing it. I recently dismantled one and made a note of this.

I don't know about end-float. I have never had to adjust it.

Parkerising is a protective finish ,don't think it has anything to do with wear protection.

I read somewhere that the 'P' simply meant that the cam was standard (I was checking because I have one too) - not sure what the 'T' refers to though!

Hi Michel,

I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this. Unless you are comfortable with the provenance of the cam you may be better getting a new one.

My reason for saying this is that the original factory cams, especially on the 850'swere of inferior manufacture and generally tended to fail, often in a costly way, in less than 25k miles. I guess there are very few original ones in machines still being used. My own cam ( an original one) failed at about 24k miles rather inconveniently in northern Germany.

Apparently the factory wereaware of the shortcomings but because of there straitened circumstances at the times chose to do nothing about it.I had this confirmed by Norman White.

Regards.

Alan.