I had a question from a potential customer for the Cam Test Stand. He asked, “Do I need to use a different follower for each type of cam I measure?” For example, if I switch from a GM flat tappet camshaft using .842″ tappets to a Ford using .875″, do I need to switch tappets and the lifter holder bore? That would result in having to purchase or make lots of different lifter holder bores.
The short, easy “no brainer” answer would be yes. However the true answer will let you get by with only needing one or just a few different followers and bore holders.
If you are measuring a flat tappet cam, then you can use the flat tappet of the same size or larger for all flat tappet cams. Note: There can be very slight difference due to the differences in “crown radius” between different flat tappet cams, but this typically would produce less than 0.1 deg error. Also, if a cam is designed wrong and runs on the edge of the flat tappet (tappet is too small for the cam) you can also get small errors.
If you are measuring a roller tappet cam, then you can use any roller with the same roller diameter for that cam.
You can also use the “Virtual Follower” simulation in the Plus version of the program to simulate most any flat or roller follower and several OHC rocker arm geometries. Then you don’t need any followers to ride on the cam lobe when you measure it. However, the “simulation” may be slightly different than using the actual follower because the setup is more critical to have exactly correct.
Check out all our Cam Test Stand FAQs at this link: http://www.performancetrends.com/faq.htm#Cam%20Analyzer