Author Topic: Can I run this cam shaft  (Read 1863 times)

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Offline jakec

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Can I run this cam shaft
« on: December 16, 2021, 10:14:49 AM »
My 350 cam shaft. They are really hard to find (and expensive). So I would need to go to delta cam (local to me) for welding/grinding. I think this is like $200. I'm worried though because I have read some bad reviews on here about them returning a cam with lobes out of spec (too small).

So, 1. can I run this cam and 2. if not is delta cam trusted? Thanks
1970 CB750 K0
1977 CB750 Chop
1997 XR650L

Offline MauiK3

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #1 on: December 16, 2021, 02:01:55 PM »
Some of those surfaces look pretty bad unless the photos are making it look worse than it is. Have you checked the Honda Twins site?
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Offline jakec

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #2 on: December 16, 2021, 02:49:49 PM »
Yes but I was only able to get a couple responses and they weren't very confident. I have had people say run it, and others say it's iffy. I know at least one of the rockers is pretty bad.
1970 CB750 K0
1977 CB750 Chop
1997 XR650L

Offline calj737

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #3 on: December 16, 2021, 03:14:24 PM »
Contact Mike Rieck. He has a relationship with MegaCycle. They can be trusted, always.
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Offline flatlander

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #4 on: December 16, 2021, 11:13:52 PM »
i wouldn't run that.
you could do a core exchange against hardweld cam and rockers from megacycle or webcam which are both good. or if you want to keep the stock profile, i think the most reliable way is to do what cal suggests.

Offline jakec

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #5 on: December 16, 2021, 11:25:06 PM »
This service, does anyone know how much it is? I think I have read it is like $450 on various forums.
1970 CB750 K0
1977 CB750 Chop
1997 XR650L

Offline flatlander

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #6 on: December 16, 2021, 11:52:43 PM »
that's in the right ballpark. but ask mike, he can give you detailed advice and also a price.

Offline MRieck

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #7 on: December 19, 2021, 11:06:12 AM »
 Just to let you guys know retail for welding the CB350 cam is 518.00 and rocker arms are 108.00
Owner of the "Million Dollar CB"

Offline calj737

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #8 on: December 19, 2021, 05:12:02 PM »
Just to let you guys know retail for welding the CB350 cam is 518.00 and rocker arms are 108.00
Pretty reasonable rates given the amount of work involved.
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"Of all tyrannies, a tyranny sincerely exercised for the good of it's victim may be the most oppressive. It may be better to live under robber barons than under omnipotent moral busybodies. The robber baron's cruelty may sometimes sleep, his cupidity may at some point be satiated, but those who torment us for our own good will torment us without end for they do so with the approval of their own conscience." - C.S. Lewis

Offline Don R

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #9 on: December 21, 2021, 03:52:36 PM »
 I'd polish it with scotchbrite and give it a good coating of assembly lube.
No matter how many times you paint over a shadow, it's still there.
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Offline jakec

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #10 on: December 21, 2021, 03:56:15 PM »
I'm hoping that maybe I can use the existing cam shaft? and just get some NOS rockers or nicer ones..? the mega cycle service as quoted is $900 total :'( not knocking the quality of their work but I can go buy a couple more 350's for that! haha not sure if I can stomach the price tag.
1970 CB750 K0
1977 CB750 Chop
1997 XR650L

Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #11 on: December 21, 2021, 04:10:54 PM »
I would go over to https://www.vintagehondatwins.com and see if anyone there has an extra used cam they would be willing to sell that might be in better shape.
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
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Offline Alan F.

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #12 on: December 21, 2021, 05:38:39 PM »
Good advice.

Offline AshimotoK0

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #13 on: January 10, 2022, 03:45:37 AM »
My wife has this listed...  if of any interest I am sure she would do you a deal.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/174926694673
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Offline ekpent

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #14 on: January 10, 2022, 06:23:49 AM »
 With close to 320,000 CB350's made surprising there aren't a lot of cams out there floating around cheap. Hope mine's OK in my scrambler project I bought last year.

Online seanbarney41

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #15 on: January 10, 2022, 12:43:16 PM »
With close to 320,000 CB350's made surprising there aren't a lot of cams out there floating around cheap. Hope mine's OK in my scrambler project I bought last year.
well, 3 out of 3 of the cb350's that I owned the cams were already crapped up...if that tells you anything
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline ekpent

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #16 on: January 10, 2022, 01:01:43 PM »
With close to 320,000 CB350's made surprising there aren't a lot of cams out there floating around cheap. Hope mine's OK in my scrambler project I bought last year.
well, 3 out of 3 of the cb350's that I owned the cams were already crapped up...if that tells you anything
Wanna buy a cl350 cheap Sean ? Might get lucky so you can say 1 out of 4 was good !  :D Sounds like a weak point for sure.
« Last Edit: January 10, 2022, 01:03:23 PM by ekpent »

Online seanbarney41

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #17 on: January 10, 2022, 05:10:33 PM »
With close to 320,000 CB350's made surprising there aren't a lot of cams out there floating around cheap. Hope mine's OK in my scrambler project I bought last year.
well, 3 out of 3 of the cb350's that I owned the cams were already crapped up...if that tells you anything
Wanna buy a cl350 cheap Sean ? Might get lucky so you can say 1 out of 4 was good !  :D Sounds like a weak point for sure.
sure!  As soon as you get it running and ride it 100 miles with out setting points and timing 5 times.
If it works good, it looks good...

Offline jakec

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #18 on: January 13, 2022, 11:44:13 AM »
BTW guys I am still looking for a replacement at this time. If anyone has a cam or rockers let me know, thanks
1970 CB750 K0
1977 CB750 Chop
1997 XR650L

Offline jakec

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #19 on: February 25, 2024, 11:28:37 AM »
Jut following up, I never found a better cam shaft, but I did get 4 new (used) rockers that were perfect. I have about 2-3000 miles on the rebuild since then and it's been all good.
1970 CB750 K0
1977 CB750 Chop
1997 XR650L

Offline HondaMan

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #20 on: February 25, 2024, 03:26:50 PM »
About the twins (and the CB500-4): many of them came with 'soft' or 'porous' cam lobes. These develop into the kind of pitting you see on those lobes now.

Interestingly, Honda wouldn't supply a new cam if these were found in an in-warranty bike. Reason: the pits don't have raised areas on them to attack the rockers' feet, and instead act as an extra oil-wicking site into that sliding bearing. It was (as still is) rare to see grooves in the rocker feet that correspond to such grooves: look closely at yours to see if this is the case.

This all said, 50 years later: many of those pits have turned into water-holding sites when the bikes were parked long-term with old, used oil in them. Then the DO rust, and raise a sharp burr that can cut into the rocker's foot.

So...look closely and see if your rocker feet have corresponding grooves that align with scratches around the raised lobes of the cam(s). If so, the damage has begun. If not, the engine was likely parked with the old oil and left, and now you are restoring operation. You can now use superior oils in time to save the cam and rockers!

I've rebuilt many 350/360/450 engines with pits like those in their cams, and they were fine. Even some 500-4 engines have been done that way by me, with no ill effects years later.

If you decide to get it fixed: I'm 100% onboard with Megacycle's work. I won't use any other non-Honda cams in the SOHC4 engines, myself...
See SOHC4shop@gmail.com for info about the gadgets I make for these bikes.

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Offline CycleRanger

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Re: Can I run this cam shaft
« Reply #21 on: February 25, 2024, 04:17:43 PM »
Jut following up, I never found a better cam shaft, but I did get 4 new (used) rockers that were perfect. I have about 2-3000 miles on the rebuild since then and it's been all good.

Good to know.
I had to replace the cam on my CL350 and ended up having to buy a complete top-end to get the cam and rockers.
Do you have a copy of the Honda Shop Manual or Parts List for your bike? Get one here:
https://www.honda4fun.com/materiale/documentazione-tecnica
CB750K5        '79 XL250s     CL350K3
CB750K3        '76 XS650      '76 CJ360T