Guideline For Reusable Parts And Salvage Operations

Camshaft Measurement

Media Number -SEBF8097-08 Publication Date -26/10/2004 Date Updated -27/10/2004

   
SEBF80970001

Camshaft Measurement

GUIDELINE FOR
REUSABLE PARTS
AND SALVAGE OPERATIONS

  CAT®
 

 SEBF8097-08
Camshaft Measurement SMCS Code: 1210
September
2004
 

 
 

Summary of Revisions

Page Description

All Revised format and added C-9 Series

information.

 Introduction

This guideline enables dealers and their customers to benefit from cost reductions made possible
through an established parts reusability and salvage program. Every effort has been made to
provide the most current and relevant information known to Caterpillar Inc. Since the Company
makes ongoing changes and improvements to its products, this guideline must be used with the
latest technical information available from Caterpillar to ensure such changes and improvements
are incorporated where applicable.

For questions or additional information concerning this guideline, contact Caterpillar Service
Support Division, Dealer Support (309) 675-5434.
Summary

The information given in this guideline can be used to measure a used or reground camshaft to
determine if it can be used again. If a camshaft meets these and other applicable guidelines, it
can be expected to give normal performance until the next overhaul when used again in the same
application.

This guideline contains specifications and measuring procedures for all engines. This includes
the C-9, 3114, 3116, and 3176 Engines.

A used or reground camshaft must be measured for bearing journal wear, lobe wear, straightness,
and surface finish.

Use two 5P-8637 Support Groups or similar V-block supports on a flat surface to hold the
camshaft during the measuring procedures as shown.

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Illustration 1
Camshaft resting on two V-block supports.

References

Reference Material

Form Title

SEBF8042 Procedure to Polish Crankshafts

Equipment and Tooling

Equipment and Tooling

Part No. Description

5P-8637 Support Groups

8S-2328 Dial Indicator Test Group

Procedure to Measure Camshaft Lobes and Bearing Journals

Use an outside micrometer with a ball anvil for curved surfaces on a camshaft. The micrometer
should have a vernier scale with a friction thimble and a measurement graduation of 0.001 mm
(0.0001 inch).

Note:  Accuracy is very important. Use a precision standard or a gauge block to adjust the
micrometer before each camshaft is checked.
 

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Illustration 2
Measuring camshaft lobes.

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Illustration 3
Measuring camshaft bearing journals.

Lift Measurement for Camshaft Lobes Using

Slipper Followers

When measuring the camshaft lobe (A) and base circle diameter (B), make sure all
measurements are taken at the same distance from the edge of the lobe or base circle diameter.
Refer to Illustration 2. If measurements are taken at different distances from the edge, or at
different axial locations, lift calculations could be affected by the tapered surfaces of some
camshaft lobes. Refer to Illustration 4.

 
View Image

Illustration 4
Front and side views of flat and tapered camshaft lobes.

(a) Total lobe height. 

(b) Base circle diameter.

To calculate a lift dimension, measure the total lobe height at location (A) and measure the base
circle diameter at location (B). The formula is (A) minus (B) equals lift.

Example:

Location (A)             49.342          (1.9426)

Location (B)             40.960          (1.6126)

Lift Height                  8.382           (0.3300)

Note: Unless stated otherwise, all dimensions are mm (inch).

On slipper follower type valve trains, camshaft lobes and base circle diameters may be tapered to
provide point contact with the lifter (slipper follower) away from the center of the lifter face.
Point contact away from the center of the lifter face causes the lifter to rotate as the camshaft
turns. Rotation of the lifter reduces wear on the camshaft, lifters, push rods, and rocker arms.

Refer to "Camshaft Measuring Specifications" chart at the end of this guideline for reusability
dimensions.
 
Roller Camshaft Lobe Measurement

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Illustration 5
Lift measurement for lobes using roller followers.

(C) Original diameter.

(D) Roller path.

Use again if roller path (D, Illustration 5) on the lobe is worn no more than 0.13 mm (0.005 inch)
of original diameter (C). Roller camshafts will have some of the original lobe surface that has not
been contacted.

Refer to "Camshaft Measuring Specifications" chart at the end of this guideline for reusability
dimensions.

Note:  During normal engine operations, the mating surfaces of each camshaft lobe and lifter
establish their individual wear patterns. If the lifters are switched to a different location in the
engine, the established wear patterns on the camshaft lobes may be incompatible. This could
result in premature wear to either the camshaft and/or lifters. If a camshaft is used again, make
sure the original lifters are installed in their original locations or replaced with new lifters.
If a new or reground camshaft is installed, install new or reconditioned lifters, unless the
used follower is in "like new" condition.

 
Procedure to Measure Camshaft Straightness

Every camshaft must be checked for maximum allowable journal runout. The maximum
allowable journal runout is 0.0006 mm total indicator reading per millimeter of camshaft length
between the nearest end bearing journal and the journal being measured. When measured in
inches, the maximum allowable journal runout is 0.0006 inches total indicator reading per inch
of camshaft length between the nearest end bearing journal and the journal being measured.

 
View Image

Illustration 6
Measurements used to determine camshaft straightness.

(E) 127.00 mm (5.000 inch)

(F) 254.00 mm (10.000 inch)

Example:

Dimension (E)             127.00     (5.000)

                               X 0.00061     (0.0006)2

Total allowable
indicator reading         0.076       (0.0030)

Dimension (F)         254.00        (10.000)

                               X 0.00061     (0.0006)2

Total allowable
 indicator reading   0.152             (0.0060)

Note: Unless stated otherwise, all dimensions are mm (inch).

1
Maximum allowable T.I.R. in millimeters per millimeter of length
2
Maximum allowable T.I.R. in inches per inch of length

Place the V-block supports under the first and last bearing journals as shown in Illustration 1. 
Check the V-blocks and camshaft to assure they are stationary.  Use the 8S-2328 Dial Indicator
Test Group to measure runout.

View Image
Illustration 7
Measuring camshaft run-out.

Procedure to Measure Camshaft Surface Finish

The maximum permissible surface finish for camshaft lobes and bearing journals is listed in the
"Camshaft Measuring Specifications" chart at the end of this guideline. The surface finish of the
camshaft lobes and bearing journals can be checked with a surface finish analyzer. Suppliers of
checking equipment are listed in this section.

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Illustration 8
Measuring camshaft lobe surface finish.

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Illustration 9
Measuring camshaft bearing journal surface finish.

Surface finish analyzer recommendations:

         Must have a power drive that will strike the lobe or bearing journal surface automatically.

         The stylus radius must be approximately 0.013 mm (0.0005 inch).

         The unit should have a 0.80 mm (0.030 inch) cutoff length.

Surface finish analyzers are available from:

Rank Taylor-Hobson
P.O. Box 36
Guthlaxton Street
Leicester, LE2 OSP Great Britain
Telephone:  0533 23801
Telex:  34411
Cables:  Metrology Lestr

Gould Inc. Instruments Division

8333 Rockside
Valley View, OH 44125
U.S.A.
Phone:  (216) 328-7000
Telex:  810-421-8580

Outside the United States:

Herman Controls and Instruments Ltd.
Spring Road
Letchworth
Herts., SG6 4AJ Great Britain
Phone:  4626 3841
Telex:  825535

Swiss Tool
Gesse 21
P.O. Box Ch-8021
Farich, Switzerland
Telex:  52378
Mitutoyo Manufacturing Co.
33-7 Shiba 5-Chome
Minato-Ku
Tokyo, Japan
Phone:  03-053-3331
Telex:  2422395

Mitutoyo Manufacutring Co. U.S. Facilities:

45001 Five-Mile Road
Plymouth, MI 48170
U.S.A.
Phone:  (313) 459-2810

2025 Tonne Road

Elk Grove Village, IL 60007
U.S.A.
Phone:  (847) 593-7750

16925 Gale Avenue

City of Industry, CA 91745
U.S.A.
Phone:  (818) 961-9661

Bendix, Automation and Measurement Division

721 Springfield Street
P.O. Box 1127
Dayton, OH 45403
U.S.A.
Phone:  (513) 254-5377
Telex:  288031

Polishing Camshafts

The procedure, materials, and equipment required to polish camshafts are identical to those for
polishing crankshafts. Refer to Guideline For Reusable Parts, SEBF8042, "Procedure to Polish
Crankshafts", for polishing instructions.
 
Thrust Washer Groove Dimension

Thrust washer groove width (A) on new parts should be 12.00 ± 0.05 mm (0.472 ± 0.002 inch).
Maximum reuse width of groove must not exceed 12.09 mm (0.476 inch).
 

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Illustration 2.

Groove width (A).

Procedure to Check Camshaft Straightness

Lubricate bearing journals and install camshaft into block. Using a torque wrench on rear end of
camshaft, check the amount of initial torque required to rotate the camshaft inside the bearings.
The maximum allowable torque is shown in Chart B.

Chart B.  Torque Requirements

Engine Series Maximum Torque

3606 and 3612 22 Nm (16.3 ft lbs.)

3608 and 3616 28 Nm (20.7 ft lbs.)

If a camshaft requires a higher torque than the maximum allowable to rotate it in the block,
remove the camshaft and check specifications for bearing diameter, bearing journals, and lobe
segments. If all dimensions are within specification, the camshaft bearings and/or camshaft must
be replaced.

 
Procedure to Measure Camshaft Lobes

When measuring camshaft lobes and base circle diameters, make sure that all measurements are
taken the same distance from the edge of the lobes or base circle diameters as shown in
Illustration 1. If measurements are taken at different distances from the edges, or at different
axial locations, lift calculations will be affected.
 

View Image

Illustration 1.

Lobe measurement diagrams.

To calculate lift dimension, measure the total lobe height at location (A), and measure the base
circle diameter at location (B). The formula is (A) minus (B) equals lift.

Example:

Location (A) 147.500 mm (5.8071 inch)

Location (B) 128.000 mm (5.0394 inch)
                     19.500 mm (0.7677 inch)

Therefore, the lift dimension is 19.500 mm (0.7677 inch). See Chart A. "3600 Camshaft
Measurement Specifications" for dimensions.