I made a thread already to document a rebuild I'm currently doing. I didn't think about keeping it short. So I'll cut to the chase, can anyone identify this camshaft? Main rebuild under "Ruthie Rebuild" if any more details requied. Thank you in advance

 

It's a Crane Fireball, possibly a 288B

 

Thank you, it's been difficult to decipher what all my dad did. I've had many surprises already lol. I'm assuming this isn't a very aggressive cam as it ran before so I should be safe to continue running it.

 

I'm about to install my cylinders after getting new pistons. I had the cylinders machined and the receipt says he used torque plates. I have wiseco pistons and the instructions say to have .003 clearance at the skirt. I'm getting a tight .0025 with my feeler gauge. Anyone know if that's normal or acceptable?

 

A bore gage is WAY more accurate then a hand held feeler gage and its common to see it that way - as a bore gage is on point location and a feeler is horizontal on lots length

i agree the cam is a crane and wont like to much compression as its narrow duration - what did you buy before asking in compression

my memory tells me the 298 crane was for 9 1/2 - but they went out of business 20 or more years back

if you do have 9 or better another cam is in play - and what’s the bike ultra with a side car - this also helps when asking questions

what ignition - what carb - in some cases what exhaust - and compression and engine size in big bore or stroker wheels - ported heads is a mistake but its in the mix

 

I have Never seen a Crane cam with an S on it... I have seen that Crane Gear... making me suspicious..The S is a very Late Shovelhead OE cam, brought to you by the EPA... On a Very low compression application, with a Couple degrees of advance on the gear... it is entirely serviceable!!
But...Not for making Power, at all!

 

Well its a long story, (I outlined it in the "Ruthie Rebuild post" but I have Wiseco 3.517 pistons, in 1978 Jugs, that were bored .20 over from stock, but on 74inc bottom end with stock rods. An Ultima R2 Carb, currently no ignition but was an electronic with dual fire coil, cant remember the name at the moment but most likely gonna put a dynateck back in it. The bike is a 1977 FLH that belonged to my father that I'm trying to restore/rebuild in his memory. Exaust is true dual with Fish Tail pipes, not sure on compression now as I haven't got the Cylinders on yet, but I know it was low before due to STD 1340 Pistons being on stock con rods lol.

 

Thank you. Its been difficult to identify for sure lol. The guy at the local shop thought it may be an old S&S but he couldn't be certain either. It's not really that important, I'm just trying to make sure that its okay to run it still after the new changes, and honestly just enjoying the archeology of deciphering what the Old Man did. Kinda like hanging out with him again lol.

 

GOOD ON YOU

those pistons are at least 9 1/2 to 1 no traffic sitting use them right ;lane - the Andrew’s A2 is my go to but if you decide to do that instead i can off up what you need in parts to make that happen - that cam was designed for the **** gas we now have to buy

Andrew’s B cam was a go to 30 years back and easyer to install but yesterday stuff

i remember like spaners the numbering system on that cam dont really remember what it meant anymore but it was a crane even the S late 80 early 90s

 

I do Not have a Shovel OE S cam out currently.. but, doubt it had that much duration as that one seems to have. Prolly a Cam that makes power quite high up the RPM range! Regardless...If he rode it like that...my guess is it will go again!
Again, the OE "S" cam can work with a Low compression engine and advanced a couple degrees!! I have one running like that currently!!