Nitrided vs Chilled 850 cam

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nonsense

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Hello all, I've seen this brought up in a few posts, but can't seem to find a consensus as to which is better: a "Chilled Iron" (like what RGM or CBS has) OR a "Steel Nitrided" (what AN has) stock cam.

I am in need of a new (stock) cam due to some light rust and pitting on what I pulled out of the engine I'm rebuilding... from what I've read it seems that Nitrided cams are a relatively new offering for a commando engine, which means they haven't been as thoroughly tested as chilled iron? But are more wear resistant?

It's also worth mentioning that the Nitrided cam is a little more expensive, but not so much as to not consider (~200 vs 300 US $).

Thanks and apologies if this has already been asked and I missed it...
 
A nitrided cam is what would have been fitted originally, the chilled cast is an aftermarket development by Newman cams. If you go chilled cast ignore the torque rating for the cam sprocket nut or you will break that end of the camshaft off.
 
the term Nitrided steel cam the base material for this cam will be EN40 which is nitride hardened in effect a BILLET camshaft machined then surface hardened

chilled iron camshaft blanks were used OEM by Norton / triumph these were then nitride hardened commercial camshaft manufacturers / automotive use this method
as basically it is the most viable and has proven wear resistance , tooling and volume is often cost prohibitive for chilled iron
as demand drops for classic motorcycle cams the investment required to produce chilled iron blanks will require deep pockets hence the billet steel options
 
Frankie17 said:
the term Nitrided steel cam the base material for this cam will be EN40 which is nitride hardened in effect a BILLET camshaft machined then surface hardened

chilled iron camshaft blanks were used OEM by Norton / triumph these were then nitride hardened commercial camshaft manufacturers / automotive use this method
as basically it is the most viable and has proven wear resistance , tooling and volume is often cost prohibitive for chilled iron
as demand drops for classic motorcycle cams the investment required to produce chilled iron blanks will require deep pockets hence the billet steel options
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I don't think that is right, Genuine Norton 1970s cams were not chilled iron.

Of course as we know some MkIII ones were not hardened either, but that really is another story.

Newman Cams made chilled iron, including PW3s and other cams supplied to ANIL and others in the past. ANIL are not supplying those now!

I bought a chilled iron PW3 in 2014 ish, it has been in the trash bin since 2016, I won't buy another!
 
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jseng1 said:
There is regular nitriding and then there is plasma nitriding which costs extra. I spend the extra money and go for the best.
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The AN ones would be regular nitriding? And if so does anyone sell a stock profile plasma nitrided cam? I would like to keep the original low rpm torque, hence wanting to use a stock profile...
 
Mart UK said:
Might be time to empty the trash though? :)
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No, race engine trash is collectible, isn't it? I hope so, I have a box of it. I also have a pair of pistons I acquired in '75 and trashed in '77, Omegas, one with a rather big valve embedded in the top.......
 
nonsense said:
The AN ones would be regular nitriding? And if so does anyone sell a stock profile plasma nitrided cam? I would like to keep the original low rpm torque, hence wanting to use a stock profile...
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You will be fine with an AN cam, you won't be revving to over 7000 will you?
 
SteveA said:
You will be fine with an AN cam, you won't be revving to over 7000 will you?
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I don't plan on racing, just road use, so no (at least not regularly). Sounding like I would be better off with the AN nitrided over the chilled iron. However the JS0 cam was just brought to my attention by jseng1, I might go with that if I decide the peace of mind (not having to worry about it) is worth the extra $$. I do have to resurface my lifters anyway.
 
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Since I rebuilt my 850 for the first time in 2013 it has since required new pistons and bore, new valves and guides, big end re grind and cam bushes (it gets used on the track, I don’t think all this wudda happened with normal road use).
But… the lobes on the JS#1 cam I fitted still look like new.
Given the many Norton cam horror stories, that’s sayin’ sumthin’ …
 
took another look at that AN cam... it's $392, not 300 like I said previously. since the JS0 is only $50-60 more ($450, and I can resurface the lifters myself) I'm thinking I'll go with that.
 
IRON cams have been known to break . SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF u k industry in the 70s , the U S made equipment could be to a reasonable standard .
 
Matt Spencer said:
IRON cams have been known to break . SINCE THE COLLAPSE OF u k industry in the 70s , the U S made equipment could be to a reasonable standard .
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Want me to show you a US made cam I also put in the trash bin?

Try hard enough, you can wreck anything!
 
nonsense said:
took another look at that AN cam... it's $392, not 300 like I said previously. since the JS0 is only $50-60 more ($450, and I can resurface the lifters myself) I'm thinking I'll go with that.
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Always easier to buy stuff on the continent you live on! Include shipping an taxes and it's probably nearly evens.

Having a lifter solution makes the deal. But you do need to reface them radiused.

:)
 
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