Trimming A Cam Button?

[clampdaddy]

What have you all found to be the best way to put a nice, square face on a nylon cam button? I do have access to a lathe where I work, which I will be using tomorrow to turn down the big end a little bit so it will fit in the timing gear hole, and to buzz the bulk of the material off the other end, but do you have any tricks that might help me when I'm back home doing the final fitting?

 

[Grumpy]

reading through the threads should help

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/cam-spacer-buttons.1793/#post-4553

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...to-last-cam-install-info.90/page-2#post-89047

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/cam-degree-equipment-tools.1759/#post-4440

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/timing-tabs-and-indicators.1015/#post-39845

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/valve-train-clearances-and-problems.528/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-springs-and-setting-up-the-valve-train.181/

 

[clampdaddy]

reading through the threads should help


http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/cam-spacer-buttons.1793/#post-4553

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...to-last-cam-install-info.90/page-2#post-89047

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/cam-degree-equipment-tools.1759/#post-4440

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/timing-tabs-and-indicators.1015/#post-39845

http://garage.grumpysperformance.com/index.php?threads/valve-train-clearances-and-problems.528/

http://garage.grumpysperformance.co...e-springs-and-setting-up-the-valve-train.181/

I plowed through most of those when I was researching hydraulic roller cams for my current build. Lots of good info but I never could find anything on the best way to actually trim the button.

 

[Grumpy]

step one
measure end clearance, with the cam and timing cover installed ...accurately, in most cases no trimming will be required,
if any trimming is required a figure 8 rocking motion over a sheet of 400 grit sand paper, on the button nose, will slowly reduce the nylon button length

some cam timing covers are much better quality

Allstar Performance ALL90008 Allstar Performance Timing Covers | Summit Racing

Free Shipping - Allstar Performance Timing Covers with qualifying orders of $109. Shop Timing Covers at Summit Racing.

www.summitracing.com

 

[clampdaddy]

step one
measure end clearance, with the cam and timing cover installed ...accurately, in most cases no trimming will be required,
if any trimming is required a figure 8 rocking motion over a sheet of 400 grit sand paper, on the button nose, will slowly reduce the nylon button length

Turning down the diameter of the big end to fit the hole in the gear was easy. Chucked up the small end and had at it. I had a lot of length to remove off the small end before I could even get close though and the wide end isn't long enough to get it chucked up nice and square so I found a die for the steel punch on our Ironworker that the narrow end of the button would fit in, put the wide end of the button part way into the chuck of the lathe, barely snugged it up and then pushed it in with the die until the face of the die was against the faces of the jaws of the chuck. Worked perfectly.

 

[clampdaddy]