I need some factual responses on the possibility of adapting a48 flathead camshaft into a 53 block with a 53-distributor drive. Second consideration may be changing timing cover to a '48? I have been seeing contradicting information and only seeing adaptors for 37-39 into 42-48 applications.
I made the adapter gear for the front of the 59 camshaft for many years, may have one or 2 left? Mine was an Isky copy. Neal East stopped by my booth at a show and handed me the Isky box and said your gonna need to make this if your gonna sell your 409 pump kit for the early and late block. He was right.
Speedway used to sell one, but there are a couple important issues to know about (you probably won't hear this from Speedway or anybody who has one to sell). 1) The 49-53 flathead cam has an oil passage drilled from the front cam bearing to the center of the cam core and it exits out the FRONT of the cam snout. As the 49-53 cams thrust TOWARDS the timing cover, this oil was needed to provide lubrication to the thrust surface of the cam. The reason for the change in thrust is to hopefully keep the cam pressed against the timing cover . . . so that the distributor gear mesh and timing are as they should be. 2) 32-48 engines and cams do not have this feature as the cam thrusts towards the block (different pitch on the crank/cam gears) and there is no thrust surface on the front of the cam (there is on the cam timing gear). Also, there is a T-slot to drive the front-mount distributor. You'd need to drill the 32-48 front cam journal to match a 49-53 cam and make sure the oil passage goes through the adapter to the front. Also, make sure the adapter has a very tight fit to the front of the early cam, you don't want oil leaks between the cam face and the back of the adapter. 3) The bolts used to attach the adapter are usually too thick and too far forward - so they gouge up the 49-53 timing covers and throw a bunch of metal filings into your engine. You need to check and usually modify the adapter and/or the bolts to make sure they don't rub on the late timing cover. 4) Thrust clearances need to be checked. I like to have about .004 to .006 of thrust gap. This is important and sometimes it is way off with combinations of cams, adapters, gaskets and timing covers. Okay, enough out of me . ..
Yow! Lots of work, with high risk. Basically you need to remove the existing cam to drill the oil hole. Why not just install the late cam?
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