Stype Cam questions

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Reno Speedster
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Stype Cam questions

Post by Reno Speedster » Thu Mar 03, 2022 3:32 pm

I got a call from Larry at Valley Head Service this morning with some questions pertaining to the work they are doing on my Rajo B head. The first question he had is about the lift on my cam. I have a Stype cam in the motor. I bought it so long ago (close to 20 years) I am having memory problems. I got the one better than stock but not the full race one. I thought it was a 270, but I looked and the middle option is listed as a 280. Are they marked somewhere? Also dose the number refer to the lift in thousandths of an inch? Dose anyone know where I can get lobe dimensions for the Stype cam to send the shop? I tried calling them but got no answer and left a message.

Thanks as always for any information.


Les Schubert
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Re: Stype Cam questions

Post by Les Schubert » Thu Mar 03, 2022 4:06 pm

280 refers to the lift. .280”


Jerry VanOoteghem
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Re: Stype Cam questions

Post by Jerry VanOoteghem » Thu Mar 03, 2022 4:17 pm

Pretty much any engine rebuilder should know how to measure cam lift.


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Reno Speedster
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Re: Stype Cam questions

Post by Reno Speedster » Thu Mar 03, 2022 4:36 pm

The engine (with cam installed) is in Alaska, the head is at a shop in California. I am sure he could measure the cam lift if it were not several thousand miles away from his shop.


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Reno Speedster
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Re: Stype Cam questions

Post by Reno Speedster » Thu Mar 03, 2022 4:37 pm

Les Schubert wrote:
Thu Mar 03, 2022 4:06 pm
280 refers to the lift. .280”
Thanks, that’s what I thought.

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Mark Gregush
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Re: Stype Cam questions

Post by Mark Gregush » Thu Mar 03, 2022 5:39 pm

Measure the cam side to side, measure heel/toe, subtract the side to side from the heel/toe that is lift.
I know the voices aren't real but damn they have some good ideas! :shock:

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flatbroke3
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Re: Stype Cam questions

Post by flatbroke3 » Thu Mar 03, 2022 5:52 pm

my cam is marked on the small end with 280. you have to have the hog head removed to see the small end
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Re: Stype Cam questions

Post by Mike Lebsack-Iowa » Thu Mar 03, 2022 6:53 pm

It is my understanding that increased lift equals increase opening of the valve. That means the valve projects further into the space between the piston and the head. Some rocker arms amplify that lift with different ratios. If I am anywhere near correct with my assumptions then a standard lift (.250) might be desirable with 1.5:1 or 2:1 rocker arms? I am not any sort of expert on this topic but I listen to a lot of guys who have been down this road.


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Re: Stype Cam questions

Post by Dan McEachern » Thu Mar 03, 2022 11:43 pm

B Rajo heads flow well past the .420" lift that you would get with a 280 cam and 1.5 rockers. The intake flow curve for the head is not even close to flattening out or falling over at .420 lift.

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Mark Chaffin
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Re: Stype Cam questions

Post by Mark Chaffin » Fri Mar 04, 2022 12:50 am

I agree with Dan. Your Model B likely has 1.5:1 rocker arms. .280 Stipe will get you to .420 lift. That should work well for your engine with a proper carburetor. I personally like the Carter BB 1 with an adjustable jet. The Winfield Model M201 B would be my second choice.


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Re: Stype Cam questions

Post by Reno Speedster » Wed Mar 09, 2022 4:05 pm

I got a call back from Josh at Stipe and he sent me the cam card for the .280 cam, which shows that it is a .280 lift. He also says that they are still producing cams for the T but doing it in batches.

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