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has anyone used a crane camshaft?

861 views 7 replies 4 participants last post by  norm 
#1 ·
There are three different ones for the inline-6. I was just wondering if anyone has used a crane cam and how much power it gave. The url to the Crane page with the datsun cams is below.
 
#3 ·
> There are three different ones for the
> inline-6. I was just wondering if anyone has
> used a crane cam and how much power it gave.
> The url to the Crane page with the datsun
> cams is below.

I was under the impression from Alamo AutoSports that Shneider Racing Cams (sp?) collaborated with Datsun racers and has a good understanding of what these motors like. They are in San Diego California, and Alamo is out of Arlington Texas .

Ken
 
#5 ·
I like my crane camshaft ran a 13.4@101mph

> I use a cam from Web Cam out of Riverside
> CA. No problems yet. Cost was around 220 for
> a new grind. I think they have 4 or 5 grinds
> to choose from for the Datsun L-6. Let me
> know if you want me to find the number...

I really like my crane cam.I have a 272/282 .450 lift I got it through DONS HOT ROD SHOP in arizona(1800-888-8892) for about a $110.I used it in my 280 block until I broke crank on missed shift.I ran a best of 13.4 @ 101 mph 8.55 @ 81 in 1/8 mile.I averaged about 21.5 mpg around town and that is drivin' craZy. This cam is real easy on valve train and you dont have to run different springs.Dont believe it if crane tells you cam wont pull past 6500, I turned 7800rpm and it pulls the whole way.compression was 9.7:1 with 280 block. After i broke crank I put head and cam on my old 240 block.I have run a best of 8.88 @ 79 mph with this setup however the mileage is about the same as with 280 block.Compression on this motor is about 10.6:1.(N42 head is shaved .070) When I used my stock E31 head on my 240 block I hada Different crane cam with 262/272 @ .450 lift this setup ran a best 9.45 @ 73 mph.Motor had stock compression of 9.0:1. I think any cam works better with an increase in compression.The ability to turn 7800 may depend on condition of your springs i used to encounter valve float at 7000 rpm until i ordered new stock springs from Cherry Hill nissan. I guess the factory must have upgraded later spring because it was slightly wider and taller.I am currently thinking of upgrading to 282/292 @.450 lift crane cam.ONE final note make sure to upgrade to 3.9 rear end so that lost torque at lower engine revs wont make car feel soft! I LIKE EM AND RECOMmEND YOU TRY ONE. norm
 
#6 ·
Re: I like my crane camshaft ran a 13.4@101mph

Is installing a cam hard? I understand that you would have to pull the engine or alot of parts. Also when you talked about breaking it on a miss shift is this just a normal oops no gear thing or something else? The reason I want to know is you all seam to be going lots faster with a after market cam. I wanted to keep my 82 280zx stock for ocasional autocross or just racing but a new cam would be cool.

Will

Come.to/izcar
 
#7 ·
Re:How to change cam and ys I screwed up shift

> Is installing a cam hard? I
understand that
> you would have to pull the engine or
alot of
> parts. Also when you talked about
breaking
> it on a miss shift is this just a
normal
> oops no gear thing or something
else? The
> reason I want to know is you all
seam to be
> going lots faster with a after
market cam. I
> wanted to keep my 82 280zx stock for
> ocasional autocross or just racing
but a new
> cam would be cool.

> Will

> Come.to/izcar

Cam is fairly easy to put in .I
removed all the rocker arms AND
loosened cam bolt THEN set motor to
top dead center And put dab of paint
on chainlink that lines up with # on
gear at about 2 oclock. then wedged
timing chain and took off cam
sprocket.On my 71 240 I then loosened
bolts on tranny mounts enough so that
engine would tilt back enough to clear
front radiator bracket With radiator
and engine fan removed. Remove small
plate on front cam tower and then pull
out cam. An alternate method is this.
Loosen front three cam tower bolts and
remove bolts. you will also have to
remove the three head bolts on cam
towers.You will also have to take
small plate off front cam tower.( you
can also just take all 5 cam towers
off if you want to) MAKE SURE YOU DO
THIS ON COLD ENGINE WITH RADIATOR
DRAINED.IF YOU FORGET TO DRAIN WATER
IT MAY LEAK IN TO CYLINDER AND BEND
YOUR ROD WHEN YOU RECRANK MOTOR. After
doing this slide cam forward out of
back two cam towers and then lift up
on cam, the towers should come off
head with cam .MAKE SURE TO MARK CAM
TOWERS AS THEY WILL HAVE TO BE Put
BACK IN EXACT LOCATION.Swap towers
onto new cam and set towers in place
and slide cam rest of the way in back
two towers .Tighten cam towers a
little at a time while ROTATING CAM
and tighten to spec. Make sure cam
rotates easily .Reinstall head bolts
and front small plate reinstall Cam
and gear and timing chain on #2 dowel.
Make sure you line up marked timing
link on chain with #2 spot on
gear.Installnew datsun rocker arms or
have old ones resurfaced You can do
this yourself by using 400 then 600
grit sandpaper resting on perfectly
flat surface.Its diffucult to describe
But it works and saves you expense of
new rockers.MAKE CERTAIN TO CLEAN
ROCKERS COMPLETELY OF ANY LEFTOVER
GRIT OR NEW CAM WILL BE SCORED.After
adjusting valve lash coat cam in break
in goop and follow break in guidelnes
included with cam.MAKE SURE EVERYTHING
IS CONNECTED BACK AND REFILL RADIATOR
.STaRT MOTOR AND DRIVE HAPPY. P>S>
DONT USE CRANE CAM ROCKER ARMS THEY
SUCK AND WILL BREAK. HOPE this
helps norm
 
#8 ·
Crane cam good::Crane rocker arms bad

> There are three different ones for the
> inline-6. I was just wondering if anyone has
> used a crane cam and how much power it gave.
> The url to the Crane page with the datsun
> cams is below.
Crane works great but their rocker arms wear out quick and break in two at high rpm.Firsthand experience not word of mouth. norm
 
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