MTFCA Forum

New guy here. I have a 1921 roadster I am currently putting new valves and cutting new seats in with adjustable lifters and all the hardware associated with the job. The original camshaft lobes have a lift from .225 at the lowest to .236 at the highest..230 average. Doing the job with the engine still in the car. I would go with a new .250 Stipe with new bearings. The problem is the rear bushing, it cannot be changed with the engine in the car. Is it wise ( or nuts) to put a new cam in without a new rear bushing. Thanks

Is Bill Stipe back in production, or did you find a Stipe cam in a vendor's old inventory? The last time I communicated with Bill a few months ago, he wasn't in production.

Texas T Parts lists them.

I doubt that bushing wear is a factor. But...........
You can check the wear. The stick should be .748". A fresh bushing would be .7500".
So take a piece of .7500" rod & check for how sloppy it fits.

Wayne Jacobson wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2026 11:54 am

Texas T Parts lists them.

Really??.
Check their stock.

speedytinc wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2026 11:57 am

I doubt that bushing wear is a factor. But...........
You can check the wear. The stick should be .748". A fresh bushing would be .7500".
So take a piece of .7500" rod & check for how sloppy it fits.

What he said...^

I have new 280 cams. Contact me through the forum.

Texas Ts has no Stipes. Won't be getting any. Thanks for the help. Wayne

Wayne Jacobson wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2026 4:44 pm

Texas Ts has no Stipes. Won't be getting any. Thanks for the help. Wayne

Texas is where model T part production goes to die.

Welcome, Wayne

Contact Kevin Prus (responded on this thread above), or Chaffin's garage...explain to them how you want your car to perform and the type of driving you anticipate doing. Then compare their products and chose the one that is right for you. They are both trusted suppliers to the hobby and either source is a quality, long-time and reliable source that offer excellent products that are well designed and executed.

Good luck

Chaffins just ran batch of new cams varying degrees, I got the 1st one the best new cam I've seen. . Beautiful machine work its a shame to hide it in inside the crankcase. I opted for the 270 to run with my new Skype crankshaft and 3 to 1 gears in my rux. Running an 8valve Roof 40.

just sayin'
frontyboy

speedytinc wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2026 4:54 pm

Wayne Jacobson wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2026 4:44 pm

Texas Ts has no Stipes. Won't be getting any. Thanks for the help. Wayne

Texas is where model T part production goes to die.

No, Iowa is where TEXAS T PARTS goes to die. Texas is where TEXAS T PARTS was BORN !

Wayne Jacobson wrote: ↑

Wed Mar 04, 2026 11:54 am

Texas T Parts lists them.

Birdhaven, dba. Texas T Parts, doesn't have a lot of things they list. It costs too much to update their catalog.

Wayne: Sent you an email. Check you emails. Dan

I have been running the Chaffin .270 in both my cars and am quite pleased with the all around performance.

Can I expect any problems installing a .280 or .270 versus a .250 with clearances? It has the original crank, cast iron pistons, no starter or generator. Wayne

Dan, I replied to your email. Check your junk mail? Wayne

Wayne Jacobson wrote: ↑

Thu Mar 05, 2026 6:56 am

Can I expect any problems installing a .280 or .270 versus a .250 with clearances? It has the original crank, cast iron pistons, no starter or generator. Wayne

No. Your T will breath better.

I had to create clearance for 3 lifters in a '23 block to clear the top side of the lifter base when installing a 280 cam.

The cam cleared everything going in but the lifer would have jammed into the block. I anticipated that possibility and created clearance PRIOR to doing any damage.

OUCH: I just reread your original post! With cast iron pistons and an as-is engine, your choice of a 250 cam is, I think, the best choice for this particular engine and I doubt seriously that you will have any clearance issues at all. With a new 250 cam and a modern grind that is now used, you're going to be amazed at the improved performance of your car.

This car was my Dad's. This photo is of him in 1948 at 16 years old. He passed away in 2024. He always said he would like to have a brand new Model T with today's paved roads. Back then in ND they were few and far between. This is why I'm trying to keep it as original as possible. Here's what she looks like now. (without the red wheels)

Wayne, the picture of your Dad in his T made me smile! I really like the contrasting paint on the edge of the fenders and running board-- I have never seen that done but it sure gives a T a snazzy look!

That custom striping was done by a 16 year old boy with a can of red barn paint!

Given the current state of your engine, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a reground cam. I believe Chaffin's, (and probably others), have them in-stock.

Wayne, that is what what I like about it-- a kid having fun with an old car...