B 16 A/B camshaft

[ilkka313]

I'm in the middle of B16 engine overhaul, it's from PV Sport 1958. Problem is the camshaft and how to judge if the one inside is A or C type. The current cam has stamped 403736 number to end if it and in the middle I can see diecast C and D on the other side. Letter A is ot to be found at all. If there's someone able to tell for sure if this is A or C, please let me know.

Ilkka
Helsinki, FInland

[volvodidi]

Hi,
if it is a real PV sport, then it is B16B engine and you need a B cam for twin su h4 carbs.
B16A with single carb is A cam.
But you find only one typ of cam for sale.
Dieter

[olleholm]

Orginal cam 403737 sport 403736. Olle Jakobstad.

[ilkka313]

Orginal cam 403737 sport 403736. Olle Jakobstad.

Orginal cam 403737 sport 403736. Olle Jakobstad.

Thank you, Olle, this is the answer I needed.


Ilkka
Helsinki

[lukeball]

Actually in my parts catalog it lists the 403736 cam as being a B16A cam.

The 403737 cam is a B16B cam.

Are you able to measure the lift and duration on this cam? I would like to know what it is.

[ilkka313]

Gets interesting, who is right? I can measure the current cam tomorrw (19.1) so let's get back to this then.

If you have colose ups from factory B16 B engine, Amazon or PV, those would be appreciated. I think the difference in colors was rocker cover, A is red and B is zinc coated thus shiny.

[lukeball]

CVI lists the B16B cam as 403737 http://www.cvi-automotive.se/en/article ... laces-b16a

I currently have the B16A and yes it came with a red valve cover. The B16D engine was also red, however it used the same cam as the B16B but had a single carb. Does your engine have single or dual carbs? The only other possibility is that your current cam is a re-ground. The actual blanks can be hard to find, so they can take an old shaft, weld the lobes and then have it re-ground.

[ilkka313]

The car is original Sport version, the current engine is A with single carb. It will be just like the original soon. I'm working n it, I have carbs already, only this cam is missing. According to Amazon factory manuals 403626 is for A and 403737 is B, so I supose this is the truth. Supplliers have remanufactured B cams, the very original would be nicer.

[ilkka313]

Here's the B16 B cam currently available:

http://iskycams.com/cart/index.php?main ... 9&cPath=15


I'm not a specialist with these, I'll contact someone familiar with mentioned measurements. Very confusing when thay talk same time about B 18/20 engines too. If there's someone having a real B16 B cam, would it be possible to have exact measurements from one nose?

Cheers & beers

Ilkka

[olleholm]

hi ilkka!

i have 4 diffrent B16 engines here in Luoto (close to Pietarsaari) I have one extra A cam that is not attacthecd to any of these engines.
do you have any friends that speaks swedish? if you have, you can call me at 050-320 8994. Unfortunately i dont speak any finnish.
or you could send a mail in finnish to olleholm@hotmail.com

[lukeball]

Here's the B16 B cam currently available:

http://iskycams.com/cart/index.php?main ... 9&cPath=15


I'm not a specialist with these, I'll contact someone familiar with mentioned measurements. Very confusing when thay talk same time about B 18/20 engines too. If there's someone having a real B16 B cam, would it be possible to have exact measurements from one nose?

Cheers & beers

Ilkka

Those ISKY profiles are based off of other American camshafts. They are not stock replacements, the VV61 is similar to the B18 C cam but with higher lift and a 108 lobe center which is quite low. I have been looking for the true B16 A and B cam specs for some time, but no one has them.

If you want a cheap solution, then you can buy a used one. This place should have one and I think that they speak english: http://www.woxby.nu/

[ilkka313]

This gets confusing, I also haven't seen B16 A and B16 B camshaft specs anywhere. I emailed mentioned US company asking if their cam really for B16 B engine, no answer and I've tried three times so far. I'm prepared to order it if it's the one that I'm looking for.

So at the moment it looks that I have to get the camshaft made from A cam (which I have in good condition) if I just get the needed measurements. Can anyone help, please?

[lukeball]

I know of one person that may be able to help you. Catharina Ellemann-Jakobsen <ellemannjakobsen@gmail.com> Emails are slow, but maybe try calling 0046 (0)31-441392. They custom grind B16 performance cams, and I was quoted 3000Skr for a cam. But they most likely have the right specifications.

[ilkka313]

I forgot to end this story. I made a phonecall to motor specialists and told my problem. They asked me to bring the cam to them and they can easily make it a bit steeper ("hotter") with 30 years of experience and knowing Volvo cams well. So I did this, cost was 120 € and the cam is inside the engine again.