Malcolm Venn

Thanks guys, great response in only a couple of hours - guess no one is watching the snooker! I think I'm going to keep my eyes out for a standard MkIV camshaft preferably reconditioned and go from there. I guess I could invest (is that the right word?) in a Kent camshaft (road car version) as they seem to have a good reputation. However, with my 'mongrel' of an engine, I think trying something less exotic to start with might be the sensible option. Good to know the camshaft might slide out if I can remove the followers which would save a lot of work.

During the process of restoring my MkIV Spitfire, I happened to notice on eBay a reconditioned engine being sold by a professional engine rebuilding shop in the Newark area (since gone bust!). Thinking that all 1296 Triumph engines were the same (there's the schoolboy error or at least one of them!), I hopped along and bought it. Many years down the line when I had become more aware of the nuances of Triumph engines, I noticed that the engine I had bought was in fact from a Toledo 1300 (engine prefix DG - over-bored to 60 thou I think). By that point, I had fitted an re-skimmed unleaded cylinder head, Accuspark electronic ignition in a reconditioned Delco distributor (very good) and was in the process of trying to tune the carbs which I had fully rebuilt. That proved tricky so, I engaged the services of a professional (George Reid in the Lancashire area - highly recommended) and eventually after fitting richer needles (AAH) my Spit performs reasonably well cruising comfortably on the motorway in the 70mph region at 3500rpm. Oh, by the way, I bought a reconditioned diff from Mike Papworth (also highly recommended) who said it was a version better suited for cruising than acceleration (sorry - can't remember the ratio at this moment) and I have a J type Overdrive fitted. So, what is the problem? Well, apart from my general ignorance as demonstrated above, I would like to know if there is anything I can do to pep up the performance a little bit especially at the low end. I keep thinking the Toledo camshaft might be significantly different to that for a MkIV. Is that so and would it make a difference? Could it be slid out and a better one slid in without removing and dismantling the engine? (the oil pressure and compression are good). I believe there may be issues to do with camshaft bearings that may need to be considered. Or, should I just look out for an FH engine and start again? Once the laughing has stopped (this is my first post by the way!), your charitable thoughts would be most appreciated.