The camshaft is one of the most important parts of an internal combustion engine’s efficient operation and performance. The latter must function in perfect harmony with the crankshaft to guarantee that the former accomplishes its duty correctly. Because of this, machining a camshaft leaves no space for error. This holds true for performance cars in particular.
Here is a brief explanation of what camshafts are, how they work, the several varieties available, and the benefits and drawbacks of each.
Different Types of Camshafts: Let’s examine the different kinds of camshafts in more detail, along with their benefits and drawbacks:
Flat Tappet Camshaft: One of the earliest innovations in the history of the automobile is this kind of camshaft. They have set the bar for the industry for more than 40 years, and automotive fans continue to firmly back them. Their success and popularity can be attributed to the fact that they are reasonably priced, produce a lot of power, and require little periodic maintenance. Since hydraulic lifters automatically maintain valve lash with a spring-loaded, oil-damped plunger, flat tappet camshafts must be used in conjunction with them.
A flat tappet could initially appear to be flat if one looks at the lobe interface. However, if you look very closely, you’ll see that the geometry of the flat tappet is far more intricate. The face of a flat tappet lifter has a relatively large radius of curvature, whereas a taper maintains the lobe grounded. In contrast to what many people believe, this allows the tappet to skate throughout the rotation.
