how is the drive gear on the cam shaft held in place? is it pressed on? is their a key way? should I replace the gear when replacing the cam?

 

Yes it is pressed on, and yes there is a keyway. I see no reason to replace the cam gear.

 

Pressed on, keywayed.
You can also heat the gear up to 400-450' and itll fall right on.

 

If your putting a performance cam in, you might wanna think about a bolt on cam gear if your planning on any high rpm work, especially with a p-pump.

 

Yes, and if you over heat it (more then Cummins spec, as you are suggesting) it may just fall right off!

 

It might not be too good for the heat treat, eh?

 

Be careful heating gears. But, it's an easy process.

As mentioned, if you are changing the cam, might want to consider that bolt on gear.

I have pressed a few off and on. Also heated a couple. I prefer the press, but you have to be careful.

Dave

 

I doubt it'll go anywhere from the retainer I have holding it on...
And Greg Houge who designed the Max Spool cam said to take it to that.

 

who makes a cam that requires a bolt on gear?

 

MaxSpool, and Helix camshafts
Greg Houge and Don M. Greg makes Max Spool, Helix's are from Don
Shcieds too...

 

Scheid makes them both ways.

 

Helix Cam Shaft


MaxSpool

I went w/ the Max Spool due to availability more than anything.
They aren't producing Helix's as far as I know for a little while they just sold the last one out of the batch not to long ago IIRC.

MaxSpool is a regrind, Helix is not.
Scheid can make both ways I think, I'm pretty positive John_P is running a cam from them.

<--- Don M.

hope this helps

 

I have not seen the retainer that his cam uses, but keep in mind a part that is designed to have a press fit should retain that even with a bolt.

There is a procedure offered in the Cummins factory manual and I would recommend anyone doing this defer to the proper procedure for your truck. It just eliminates a potential issue.


Dave

 

Yup, me too.

 

Cummins shop manual 3810206-02 page 1-32 "heat the camshaft gear in a preheated oven at 149* C (300* F) for 45 minutes. The oven should never exceed 177* C (350* F) or the gear will be permanently distorted. From the boys who built it