BSA Owners' Club Workshop Discussions

The BSA Workshop => Twins => Topic started by: Dibble on 16 Apr, 2021, 19:32

Title: Cam followers installation?
Post by: Dibble on 16 Apr, 2021, 19:32
can anyone advise on the orientation of the cam follower oil holes im not sure but i seem to remember most faced inward. It may not even matter butbest to ask! Whilst we are on the subject does anyone actually bother refitting the circlips? I bought one of the special tools which,even after modification, is worse than useless. Any advise please. A65 hornet. Dave.
Title: Re: Cam followers installation?
Post by: AdrianS on 17 Apr, 2021, 09:27
Can't help on the oil hole but when I rebuilt my A50, I held all the followers in place with some bits of rubber pipe over the end of the followers, fitted the barrel and then pulled the pipes off.
Also told that a folded piece of cardboard jammed in will also hold the followers in place.
You can get the wire clips to hold the followers but fitting them is difficult without a special tool and once the followers are fitted, they serve no purpose as far as I can see.
Title: Re: Cam followers installation?
Post by: DAVE BRADY on 17 Apr, 2021, 10:14
Hi,

Some sticky grease will hold them in place and ensure good lubrication for first running.

Dave.

Title: Re: Cam followers installation?
Post by: Bess on 17 Apr, 2021, 10:29
Hi,
    The manual suggests putting them back as they come out. Never worked for me as the holes are on the side (facing either the drive or the timing side when installed) and from experience previous owners have replaced them in a haphazard way. I tend to face them toward the centre of the engine as this is the hottest area and some cooling from the oil should help.

As Dave suggested liberal use of assembly grease works for me, I never use or like the circlips as they seem to be a disaster waiting to happen if they come loose or badly installed.

Best wishes...
Title: Re: Cam followers installation?
Post by: Dibble on 17 Apr, 2021, 15:44
Thanks  for the guidance  gentlemen it really helps. As to the circlip arrangement i totally agree, a disaster in the making. Even the brand new  ones seemed woefully inadequate for purpose. I will as  suggested grease up on assembly and face to the centre. Thanks ,Dave.
Title: Re: Cam followers installation?
Post by: ChrisG on 17 Apr, 2021, 18:19
Does anyone know how to release the circlips once they are in place? I haven't a clue!
Title: Re: Cam followers installation?
Post by: Bess on 17 Apr, 2021, 18:33
Hi,
     Bizarrely you drive the cam followers down with a soft metal punch, dislodging the clips ??? ???

Best wishes...
Title: Re: Cam followers installation?
Post by: Mike Farmer on 17 Apr, 2021, 20:49
  :) :) :)

Hi

I just drive them down with a 10mm brass drift. The top of their "run" just pushes the circlips off. They then are re- useable??????????????.

I wouldn't re-use them.

But I do always put them in .

Mike 8) 8) 8) 8)