Gents, just to put things in perpective...

On the right a single lobe Ariel camshaft recently made in the UK by Newman Cams.
On the left a original camshaft with camwheel fitted.
Compare the position that the alloy oil pump drive block has to the lines in the background .
The excenter has been ground in a off straight angle to the rest of the cam.
This cam has been returned about a year ago, no progress until date.

You don't need to go all the way to India to get wrongly made parts.

email (option): info@wetblast.nl

Vincent, out of interest, is the lobe that drives the oil pump block, still parallel to the cam shaft? Please don't tell me it's been machined out of true!! Ron

email (option): ronpier@talk21.com

Yes Ron, it is out of line with the rest of the camshaft.

A few years ago the AOMCC had a batch of (I think) 10 VCH profile cams made by Newman Cams.
(as a aside; VCH is a early fifties competition model with a cam that is suitable for road work, not as harsh as the later HS Mk1 cam which needs a open exhaust pipe)

I found out that the pump drive was off line when I hand cranked the engine when still on the bench.
What happens when the alloy drive block wobbles like this is that it pushes the oil pump plungers outward .
Of course, as the block is alloy it will wear away....but that's not how it is supposed to work !
I received a second cam (from the AOMCC) and it had the same problem.
So I returned them both to the club.
I know that the cam is now (since several months) at Newman, but did not hear about it since.
picture shows the alloy drive block after only a few hand cranked revolutions.

email (option): info@wetblast.nl

In being critical of 'precision' products from India I wasn't by inference suggesting there weren't problems with parts sourced elsewhere..There are poor quality products everywhere...In fact I am currently making rectifications to both the tolerances and some design features of a hub/ brake drum assembly that was manufactured in the UK and cost me £277!...

Personally, whilst I prefer to buy a British product purely to support companies based here I don't really mind where anything is manufactured as long as it's done correctly...
Irrespective of any comparisons, I was just pointing out that the use of Indian made, high stress engine components should be approached with extreme caution IMO as I feel there is an inherent and real risk. I wouldn't use them myself...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

I had a batch of cams made by newmans about 20 years ago. They ignored my drawings and notes and changed the material spec and heat treatment. I had to rebuild about half a dozen engines out of my pocket. Being unable to take them to court as I was at the point of bankruptcy i just had to live with it. You would think after this time they would have improved. This is why I make my own cams now.
They still use my profiles and sell them as their own!

email (option): pes.sales@btconnect.com

Sigh..

If I ever get my cam back I suspect nothing will have been done to it.
but, I thought of 2 solutions;

1 To give the alloy block a curve on both 'side' surfaces so it can wobble about, surfaces where the plungers bear on are not affected in that way...(entering serious bodge country!)

or

2 to grind the crooked excenter in line to a smaller diameter and make a new alloy block with a smaller hole. but I think the Ariel factory (and Triumph - Val Page ) designed this ex-center in this size for a reason.

any thoughts?

Perhaps this off line ex-center happened when the camshaft was in the hardening process?
could that be? something that is off center maybe 'pulls' to one side ?

What man has made man can make again.......sometimes.

email (option): info@wetblast.nl

I've used a lot of Newmans Gold Star cams in both standard and tuned engines and had no problems...In fact I'm waiting for delivery of some scrambles cams at the moment..They also made a very nice job of a cam for a rigid A7 machined from a modified A65 spec. blank...

Regarding the Ariel cam there seems to have been a number of failures before it got to you...Firstly Newmans should have picked up the problem during normal QC checks...Secondly the Ariel club aren't bothering to check incoming parts before sending them out to club members...Twice in your case...Having received a defective one back it's surprising they didn't check the next one before sending it to you...

From your photo it's not possible to see how offset or what diameter the pump block peg is...However, the cam will only be case hardened so you could grind off the peg, drill and tap the end of the shaft in line with its axis and screw in a threaded replacement peg...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Ian, I thought you were riding around on an India made Enfield, doesn't that have Indian made engine components?

Rob

email (option): robmiller11(a)yahoo.co.uk

A few...:laughing: ...What your suggesting though is that the quality standards of a motorcycle company that produces 625,000 motorcycles a year from a modern factory are the same as the company making girder forks up a back alley somewhere...An unfair comparison really...

To date I've found the Indian Enfield to be a well made and serviceable product and on that basis I don't have a problem with where it came from...Ian

email (option): ian@wright52.plus.com

Guys, these people manufacture valves and guides in excellent quality, and are the suppliers of most of the antique parts stores in Europe.
I think you might want to contact them and hear if they can help, maybe if there is a sufficient quantity on order, they will produce.
Anyway, I have come across people who are hospitable and willing to help (I purchased from them the valves & guides for my BMW R51/3).
I know someone who purchased from them an item that does not appear in their catalog, but they made an effort, searched and found something matching for his issue.

https://www.intervalves-technologies.com/

email (option): michasteinmann@gmail.com

Gents

Just a tip:
Drilling a round hole in thin sheet is made easy by the application of a piece of cloth between drill and sheet.
Learned this trick at the Fokker Aircraft basic training 40+ year ago. No more triangular holes!

Cheers,

Rob

email (option): wd16h@telfort.nl

Trevor, the CNC courses would most likely meet you needs. They still have to cover the basics of tool / work speed and feed and material differences for those. In fact I think that has to be more of a focus because your not being taught about "feel" and judgement. Also depends who the tutor is, ie how were they taught? Worth poking that a bit more maybe with the local TAFE? I money guessing here based on the youngsters at my communal workshop, ie enonly way I get a workshop :) envious of the machinery you've got the space for :)

email (option): dickie.bobbie@hotmail.co.uk

I've just seen Indian-made WM20 gearbox outer covers. Around £200 with shipping. Has anyone sampled Royal Crusaders products?

email (option): cmmacd @hotmail.co.uk