Topic: Could i tell a Cheetah with a dial gauge?

[slideways]

If i put a Cheetah in a motor vs a stock cam +.100 lift could i see the difference with a dial indicator on the pushrod? I CAN NOT get into the motor. I'm asking for a tech situation. Just want to see if the lift is that much different in the dark in a dusty tech shed.

Thanks

[George Herrin]

If the tech man knows what he is doing he will see it at the push rod if he has the proper tech tools IE... dail Indicator

[slideways]

I may be in charge of making a usable gauge. Which is why i ask. Thanks George. How much lift does the cheetah have? Ours are around .837 base and 1.137 peak so around a .300.

[George Herrin]

I don't remember the lift on the cheetah I wanna say in the 350 range but havnt fooled with one in some time that's not counting the rocker ratio

[slideways]

Yea making a gauge to check the lift at the retainer is going to be a challenge. The Rocker is kind of in the way and i need to make something foolproof but accurate. I'm thinking of starting with the pushrod pushing directly into the dial indicator. No matter what lifter or pushrod they used that should check the actual cam lift which is the only way to find the illegal cams without pulling the side cover (not an option).

[Gui961]

the cheetah in the vanguard is around 310 lobe lift . in and ex .  but the 4 lobe are not always the same

i think the best accurate ways for you would be making a extension of the dial gadge direct on top of the lifter . should be reliable data there.

i made a tool for the retainer to check the cam duration but because of the rocker its not 100% accurate

[slideways]

.010 is going to be a challenge to prove on a Harbor Freight Mic... this worries me a bit.

[SMAZ632]

.010 is going to be a challenge to prove on a Harbor Freight Mic... this worries me a bit.

.100.....not .010

[slideways]

Yea my cam is around .300 lobe. The cheetah is .310. With wear and any other variance it may be tough to hit a home run here.

[slideways]

Hodge told me our cams should be .304. Can anyone tell me for sure what the cheetah is? Stock rockers are 1.3 or 1.33 from what i read.

[PJG56]

The Chetta cam I have is .308@lobe.
Stock rocker ratio on intek twin is 1.32

[BIG AL 202]

If i put a Cheetah in a motor vs a stock cam +.100 lift could i see the difference with a dial indicator on the pushrod? I CAN NOT get into the motor. I'm asking for a tech situation. Just want to see if the lift is that much different in the dark in a dusty tech shed.

Thanks

I AM NOT SURE WHAT YOU ARE GETTING AT? ARE YOU SAYING YOU CANNOT PULL OFF THE ROCKER COVER BECAUSE IF YOU CAN'T THATS GOING TO BE A TRICK! IF YOU CAN PULL THE ROCKER COVER USE THE DIAL CALIPERS LIKE A HEIGHT GAGE FROM THE RETAINER TO THE HEAD FOR TOTAL LIFT OR THE ROCKER, ON THE PUSHROD SIDE, TO THE HEAD FOR CAM LIFT. IF I READ YOUR QUESTION CORRECT THE ANSWER YES! O-YA AND USE A GOOD FLASHLIGHT!

[Cromwell C4]

From what I read he has access to the rocker area so using an indicator to determine cam lift won't be an issue. The only problem I see is that the vanguard cheetah cam normally has around .308" to .310" lobe lift, and his cams have .304" lobe lift, which isn't much difference and might be hard to catch if he has a worn or cheap indicator that isn't very accurate. Especially if the cheetah cam has wear, or someone takes a few thousandths off the lobe lift to make it appear legal. 

Are these sealed spec engines, or are people allowed to build their own motors? If they are supposed to be sealed motors built to certain specs and cam timing, you could use the same method used to degree in racing camshafts. Use a degree wheel and check the cams for intake opening/closing to determine the intake lobe center and total duration. It would be a little more work, but it would be easy for me to spot a different camshaft this way.

[slideways]

I can get to the rocker cover, what i cant do is take the head off the motor at the track. We also are trying to do this with the engine in the car to avoid having to use one of the few and unpopular claim tags (take motor to builder for full teardown). Getting this done is like pulling teeth. Happens maybe 2 times a year between the 200+ races these cars can run in.
The degree wheel is going to be pretty much impossible in the car, and i admit i've done lots of motor work and tuning and i dont even know how to use one. So the tech guy wont either. They are sealed and "only one guy" can build them. The issue we are having is with one particular builder who is getting past the seal and going mild to wild inside and keeping the motor stock appearing enough where only a total teardown can find these things. We are being told to find fishy cam behavior so that's where i am now.

Why is this cheetah so great then if we're only talking .004-.006 difference in lift? Is it the other aspects that make it so much better? We're talking in stock heads too with no porting (which will get you tossed immediately). Decking is happening at least enough to be undetectable too..

[BIG AL 202]

WHAT KIND OF ENGINE ARE WE DEALING WITH?