Page 1 of 1
Verde cam woodruff keys
Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 6:16 am
by xrad
Hi Everyone!
I bought a set of used Verde cams and the PO removed (why???) the woodruff keys. Anyone have 2 spares or the dimensions so that I can get a some replacements????
I would rather replace them than pull them out of other cams...
THANKS!!
Re: Verde cam woodruff keys
Posted: Tue Mar 23, 2010 1:45 pm
by Murray
xrad why not run them without the keys - perfectly safe,many others have done it in the interest of getting cam timing absolutely spot on.The press fit of the gear assembly on the tapered cam is more than adequate.
Re: Verde cam woodruff keys
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 7:40 am
by xrad
that does not sound very safe at 6000 rpm...especially when you can dial in vernier pullies...
Re: Verde cam woodruff keys
Posted: Sat Mar 27, 2010 12:47 pm
by Mats
It's totally safe. No manufacturer uses keys mowadays. And it's actually during cranking the torque is high.
From memory there is even a Volvo engine that is "keyless" and has no cone on the cam/pulley...
Re: Verde cam woodruff keys
Posted: Sun Mar 28, 2010 7:05 am
by xrad
You are probably right that the cone friction will overcome the required cam torque, but why take a chance for two 20 cent items that in the absence of may ruin a several thousand dollar engine
Since I don't have an endless supply of 3.0 parts, I will continue my search for the keys...
Re: Verde cam woodruff keys
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 11:10 am
by kevin
Xrad, I never ever used or had a failure in 22yrs and have allways left the keys out.(except my Dad once forgot to tighten the cams - you now the result) Biggest problem on the 24v motors is getting the pulleys off and they often break. Its so much easier to set timing correctly without them.
Re: Verde cam woodruff keys
Posted: Mon Mar 29, 2010 12:47 pm
by Mats
Seem to work pretty well in milling machines and drill presses too, and on those you only whack them in and they stick like shit to a blanket.

Re: Verde cam woodruff keys
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 9:32 am
by xrad
OK..you guys talked me into it....NOT. Drill press chuck, machining tools...well OK, no key for them. Don't feel bad, you can still run keyless cams in your engines...
Anyway, I found a good set of keys so no more issue.
MAYBE, you could figure out the exact breakaway torque for keyless cams so when your pistons whack the valves, your cam pulleys could spin and cause less damage???
Re: Verde cam woodruff keys
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 10:17 am
by Mats
Haha, it's your engine, you do as you wish of course.
You did get the special Verde keys right?

Re: Verde cam woodruff keys
Posted: Tue Mar 30, 2010 4:24 pm
by xrad
Yep, came with a another set of Verde cams...