Crane Cam ID numbers

[ChubbyDragon]

After many trials and tribulations, I have pulled my camshaft to, hopefully, find some ID numbers on it so I can replace a broken valve spring with the correct one.

It is a Crane camshaft and the numbers look like HMV-278-2-NC. I looked it up on Crane's website and found a close match:
part number 363801
grind number H-278-2(replaces HMV-278-2)

What I am wondering is - Are the specs the same? Did they just change the grind number? I have been trying all afternoon to call Crane Tech Support to verify the specs, but keep getting a busy signal or "all circuits are busy" recording.

The numbers 36 25 90 are also stamped on the end. Any idea what these 3 numbers mean?

 

[D.Hearne]

Looks like the same part #'s to me. I'd go ahead and use whatever sprigs are called for with the newer part #. The specs probably haven't changed enough to make spring changes.

 

[ChubbyDragon]

That's what I though, but I wanted to be sure. I finally got through to Crane -- turns out they were upgrading their phone systems. specs are identical to the new part number. Curiously, though, the RPM range for my cam is 300 - 500 RPM higher than the repacement cam.

A couple of questions I forgot to ask the guy at Crane, though:

1) when I put the cam back in, should I use assembly lube, like I would for a new cam? I would think so, but want to be sure.

2) Do I need to "break-in" the cam? I will be putting the original lifters, push rods, and rocker arms back on. I wouldn't think I would NEED to, but it wouldn't hurt -- better safe, than sorry, right?


Thanks

 

[D.Hearne]

Better make damn sure the lifters go back into the holes that they were removed from. Otherwise, you'll be looking at a wipeout as far as the lobes go. A thin film of assembly lube is fine but only on the lifter bottoms. Then prelube the engine before starting it. Not necessary to break it in again with the original cam and lifters. If in doubt about which lifter came from which hole, buy new ones, this will save you money and effort later on.

 

[ChubbyDragon]

Thanks for the advice. I have all the lifters, rods, etc in 16 labeled ziploc bags to keep them all straight.

Now I just hope I can put it all back together right