C15 cam and gearbox bushes

[RobinG]

Hi, I'm rebuilding a C15 engine. The gearbox and cam bushes in the engine cases are all pretty shot, so am replacing with new ones from Draganfly. Can anyone point me to info about reaming clearances please? Or do people just ream them for a fit that "feels right"?  Any advice gratefully received.  Robin

[Dabbist]

For the camshaft bushes, Rupert Ratio suggests using an expanding reamer for a "good fit". They also need to align properly, so fit the timing case and do both at the same time.
He suggest that there should be some free play but that the other end of the camshaft should not be able to rock by more than 1/16" each way. Alas he doesn't give a figure to aim for.
I'm not sure about the layshaft one, but I do have vague memories of reading some generic information for bronze bushes on line, so it may be worth a search.

[AWJDThumper]

The camshaft bushes need to be line reamed to give a clearance of about 1 thou in both bushes. I haven't looked up the clearance for the layshaft bush but it's probably 1-2 thou. I would recommend get the bushes reamed in a proper engineering shop.

[RobinG]

Thanks all for the advice. Much appreciated

Robin

[JulianS]

If the bike is distributor model than the gear shaft bushes are quite difficult - the clutch end bush is blind as is the bush in the kickstart quadrant on the other end so you cannot line ream. You may find that the clutch end bush is the right size when fitted.

The mainshaft sleeve gear bush is, if I remember correctly, larger diameter than the inner cover bush, making line reaming difficult.

So the advice to take to a proper engineering shop is good advice.

[AWJDThumper]

A good engineering shop will know how to ream out the bushes whatever their configuration.

[TDub62]

I've just bought a new camshaft bush for my distributor 1959 engine which came as a non runner loosely assembled project. The bush I received is a straight tube, the one on the bike has a lip on it with a peg. Is it possible someone has put the wrong bush in previously?

[TDub62]

Sorry picture missed off previous

[JulianS]

I think it was non flanged for the inner bush for distributor model and flanged for side points models.

The very early ones could have been different.

[GUY HUTCHINSON]

I assumed that they would send me an outer one but its probably the inner one they have sent. I'll have a better look tonight, thanks.