Changing a Cam gear

[panhead_kicker]

I opened my cam chest and found this lurking:

DSCN2326.JPG

I decided I didn't like it, so I found a brandy new one of these... :

DSCN2327.JPG

Since the gears in the cam chest are all matched (all have same color paint dot), I assume I need to swap the gear from the old Andrews to the new Victory:

DSCN2329.JPG

I've not done this before, and am looking for some pointers.
How do these gears attach to the shafts? Are they keyed?
I see a "notch" at the base of both shafts:

DSCN2328.JPG

Do they simply press on/off?
If they aren't keyed, how do I get the gear pressed back on in the absolute right orientation?

[1950Panhead]

Do they simply press on/off?
If they aren't keyed, how do I get the gear pressed back on in the absolute right orientation?

Yes, they press off, mark the gear by the slot for location, press on, they are not keyed.
Jerry

[58flh]

PK---As 50Panhead said!---You probably already know Im just throwin it out to you--Meas.-the Length of both cams & see how they compare, or simply install & check your End-Play!---This will be the most critical part of the job. Also if you have a degreewheel, by all means use-it & check it against both,& for your final installation!---It will run just fine by going mark to mark,-It may be right-on or a tooth-off-(Andrews are good for 1-2& dont matter which direction.Your Motor will love that Flh cam!----Respectfully--Richie

[Cotten]

Panhead_Kicker!

You are quite lucky if it is an OEM gear, and actually fit upon the Andrews.
And I would be surprised if there is not already two scribe marks and each side of the 'keyway'.

One can only hope that it was indexed correctly, although a few degrees only changes the character of the motor.
(Aftermarket gears are often indexed from a different baseline of the cam whatever that means... Kitabel?)

Nonetheless, to make Jerry a little clearer, mark it before you press it off!

...Cotten

[kitabel]

This is a panhead motor?
I'm not familiar with any select-fit etc. of pitch diameters in this era, and I'll bet the H grind is a direct fit.
Not sure? The critical thing isn't the length (everything, always, the same length - the shim is for differences in the case and cover) but the diameter. I'll bet the Andrews is smaller, because that's always safe (but noisy).
Getting the gear aligned with the lobes is really delicate work, even thousandths matter.

Curious: what don't you like about the Andrews?

[Cotten]

Kitabel!

My confusion of "base circle" comes from ordering just billets from Sifton (the real one), and then pressing gear on to marks made from the H cam.

The tech on the phone got mildy upset about it, and tried to make me understand, but the customers loved them anyway.

And most often,... I mean the cam I replaced the most often... was an Andrews "A", whether it failed to keep hydraulics filled ("A" Disease), or just spalled and failed anyway.

Something about the diameter of the circle that inscribed the cam lobe was different, smaller if I can remember at all.

My best guess is that the few degrees of retard, or whichever way it went, benefited the low end performance, to the delight of the seat of the pants of my folks.

Does that make any sense?

....Cotten
PS: Back then, no OEM gear would come close to fitting an Andrew billet.
Maybe things do get better with time.

[john HD]

seems like alot of precision work to match up some paint marks that probably are not factory.

perhaps mocking everthing up and seeing how it spins might be a starting point?

john

[Cotten]

John!

The paint codes only indicated gear diameters,
not indexing upon the 'billet' or shaft.

An unmolested machine should have the same color code on most, if not all of the gears in the chest.

Trial on the bench only displays serious binds, at very low RPM at best.
No wonder they all sound different.
Flattys really test patience!

....Cotten

[panhead_kicker]

John!

The paint codes only indicated gear diameters,
not indexing upon the 'billet' or shaft.

An unmolested machine should have the same color code on most, if not all of the gears in the chest.

Trial on the bench only displays serious binds, at very low RPM at best.
No wonder they all sound different.
Flattys really test patience!

....Cotten

I cant be sure, as I've not seen a lot of OEM setups, but the three large gears in this motor all have the same color paint dots, (just like the gears in my 64, but a different color) Likely OEM? :

camchest_close.jpg

As you noticed, the new Victory also had a paint dot.. but it was a green.
Seems to me that it would be worth trying to keep a matched gear set together, if changing the gear on the cam is possible and for a hack like me.

[Hog54]

I wouldnt change the gear.Its hit or miss.I put an andrews in mine 18 years ago with the stock idlers and breather and its been the quitest setup since.You cant hear any gear whine or anything.All you can do is try the oem and see.

[Cotten]

I cant be sure, as I've not seen a lot of OEM setups, but the three large gears in this motor all have the same color paint dots, (just like the gears in my 64, but a different color) Likely OEM? :

As you noticed, the new Victory also had a paint dot.. but it was a green.
Seems to me that it would be worth trying to keep a matched gear set together, if changing the gear on the cam is possible and for a hack like me.

P_K!

I agree, with the only reservation being that the red dots are pretty bright in the photo.
My literature with the codes isn't handy, so I'll bet somebody with better web access can find them on S&S's site somewhere much quicker.

It would be nice to know if red and green were next to each other, at least.

....Cotten

[panhead_kicker]

...Curious: what don't you like about the Andrews?

Admittedly I may have been prejudiced to the A grind based on discussions in this forum. After finding the front intake hydraulics collapsed and bound, I decided there may be more than coincidence at work. Other reading lead me to believe the A grind is not the best choice for an otherwise stock bike, or my riding style. So I decided to go with OEM.

[Panacea]

Since we are considering A cams, I'll just add that my favorite Panhead (as far as performance) was my 49, which was a 74" with the A cam and 10:1 Wisco pistons. That sucker would fly! Of course it had solids which eliminates the hydraulic issue....Mike

[upjohn]

If you dont't mind me asking. Where did you find a new H or Victory cam? Is that a S&S breather gear? They have a larger tit for the spacer than the orginal.

[jdpan]

Dump the A, slap the H in there and go on about your business..