Cam question

Skip Burney · Feb 25, 2017

Has anyone ever changed their cam to get a little more low end torque out of their engines. I have a spare 8N engine up in the barn and I could have the head worked and a cam change and it might make a little more power. If you did where did you get your cam from?

Ultradog MN · Feb 25, 2017

Why not buy a 600 if you want more power?
Get live hydraulics to boot.

Skip Burney · Feb 25, 2017

I have plenty of other tractors power is no problem, I just enjoy tinkering.

Skip Burney · Feb 25, 2017

Most of the time we use "GREEN" tractors but we have 4 small Fords for keeping up around the houses

Skip Burney · Feb 25, 2017

We are high tech rednecks

Skip Burney · Feb 25, 2017

GPS system

Flatheadpete · Feb 25, 2017

being a hot rodder I've wondered the same thing. My V8 flathead made tons of power with simple work. A lot of 4-cyl Ford go fast stuff out there....

Ken(Ark) · Feb 25, 2017

(quoted from post at 17:34:54 02/25/17) I have plenty of other tractors power is no problem, I just enjoy tinkering.

I have wondered why someone has not marketed a bigger cam . I have lightly pondered the cam equation . Starting with a low static compression ration the low lift / duration cam doesn't kill the dynamic ratio that bad . With a governor you may not benefit much over stock with out being able to breath the higher rpm's . I think you could get 30 hp + if you hit 3500 rpm .

I think the early cams had a press on gear so advancing / retarding the timing would be something to tinker with .

I think I have heard the side distributor motor cams had a higher lift . I looked years ago but it did not seem the numbers are published any where . I did email a shop that sold reground N cams but never got a reply .

HFJ · Feb 25, 2017

[b:87598eb360]"I think you could get 30 hp + if you hit 3500 rpm ."[/b:87598eb360]

throw in that newer ford blue paint and now we're talking 35 HP.

Skip Burney · Feb 25, 2017

That's what I thought a decent low end torque cam, shave the head a little and do some chamber and port work and you could have a really strong little engine and it would still be reliable.

Jock(OR) · Feb 26, 2017

Shaving the head is problematic, since a common problem with surfacing the heads is getting them too close to the block and having the pistons hit the head. The combustion chamber is large enough that shaving off the flat part can't reduce the chamber volume enough to matter.

Sherman sold a high compression head with a much smaller chamber. If you want to hot-rod an N, that is about the only way to raise the compression.

Skip Burney · Feb 26, 2017

Thanks Jock I appreciate it. I will look into it.

gwstang · Feb 26, 2017

(quoted from post at 20:19:27 02/25/17)
[b:913f43c4e9]"I think you could get 30 hp + if you hit 3500 rpm ."[/b:913f43c4e9]

throw in that newer ford blue paint and now we're talking 35 HP.

Hey, Don't forget to attach a spoiler (wing for young fellows) for an extra bonus 5 HP.

Welding man · Feb 26, 2017

I have a set of M and W dome pistons and sleeves for an N. Still in the box. Have been working on building an engine with these and turbocharging it with a GM Smog pump.I just have too many other projects going on right now to finish it.

Ken(Ark) · Feb 26, 2017

I just have too many other projects going on right now to finish it.

I have started selling projects mentally tag # 50 and higher to help finance #49 and under . I have the Funk 6 cylinder and never liked the tall 1V carb sticking up . Always thought it would be cool to make an intake for two updraft N carbs ( 226cid vs. two 120cid carbs ) and pipe out and curving each exhaust individually with a flapper valve . Maybe if I live to be as old as some of the guys in the old testament , you know 600 + years .

Ultradog MN · Feb 26, 2017

I get it.
In that case, don't forget that you only have a 3 main crank on that engine.
So if you soup up the top end too much the bottom end won't hold it.

Ken(Ark) · Feb 26, 2017

(quoted from post at 02:01:20 02/26/17) Shaving the head is problematic, since a common problem with surfacing the heads is getting them too close to the block and having the pistons hit the head. The combustion chamber is large enough that shaving off the flat part can't reduce the chamber volume enough to matter.

Sherman sold a high compression head with a much smaller chamber. If you want to hot-rod an N, that is about the only way to raise the compression.

The 9N head has a larger combustion chamber than an 8N so getting the late model head will gain .5 compression . If I remember correctly the Sherman head is the same CC as the 8N , it just came out during the 9N period and was labeled high compression , which it was at the time . WWII gave us higher octane gas .

I have only read about angle milling heads but the N would be a good candidate . I don't know how much clearance the valves have or what the shrouding effect would be with the valves moving towards the head .

HFJ · Feb 26, 2017

(quoted from post at 05:58:11 02/26/17)

(quoted from post at 20:19:27 02/25/17)
[b:74d0225d12]"I think you could get 30 hp + if you hit 3500 rpm ."[/b:74d0225d12]

throw in that newer ford blue paint and now we're talking 35 HP.

Click to expand...

Hey, Don't forget to attach a spoiler (wing for young fellows) for an extra bonus 5 HP.

outstanding - thank u! i was unaware of this one. now it's on my list for when it warms up here

henryv11 · Feb 26, 2017

We got over 300 hp out of a 48 Merc motor and that only had 3 mains.

henryv11 · Feb 26, 2017

I know a person who could grind one for you.

Ken(Ark) · Feb 26, 2017

(quoted from post at 14:12:21 02/26/17) I know a person who could grind one for you.

Can you get the stock specs ? We have been looking for years , LOL .

Ultradog MN · Feb 26, 2017

For how long?

Bruce (VA) · Feb 26, 2017

Yep.

And, keeping the block from cracking from the high exhaust temps was never really solved either.

The later Merc blocks, as in 52 & 53 were better, but not immune.

Duner Wi · Feb 26, 2017

http://www.tildentechnologies.com/Cams/FlatheadPerformance.html

Hobo,NC · Mar 4, 2017

(quoted from post at 03:38:19 02/26/17) Has anyone ever changed their cam to get a little more low end torque out of their engines. I have a spare 8N engine up in the barn and I could have the head worked and a cam change and it might make a little more power. If you did where did you get your cam from?

Stroke and compression grind away till you find the breaking point.

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