Camshaft drive noise

John Murch · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:26 am Post subject: Camshaft drive noise

In another thread the subject of camshaft drive noise is raised.
I'm sure that there is a lot of experience out there!
My own car had all its cross shaft gears and top camshaft gears replaced about 15 years ago, and doesn't seem to make excessive noise, the car will have done about 70,000 miles since then, although the engine was stripped down about 20,000 miles ago and a 4.5 block mounted, but using the existing cam drive.

Nicholas Simons · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 9:34 am Post subject:

This is so subjective. The only way to make a judgement is to park two cars next to each other. My 3 litre rattles a bit on idle, but that's in comparison with my RR of a similar date. Hardly a fair comparison! WO designed for power whereas FHR designed for silence. ( so as not to disturb the patient when the doctor parked outside ).

Quentin Chases · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 10:10 am Post subject:

I don’t mind the noise, so long as the thing doesn’t tear itself apart, Neil Davies has explained that camshafts don’t just go round they oscillate, my twin cam was quieter, as it used little fingers in the system, so I was told by Jim Catnach the Twin Cam guru.
I still find the gearbox difficult going down the box. I have the B box, I have discussed with Neil about having a dog box fitted, his reply was “Why don’t you just man up and learn to change gear properly.” I do love the beast.

John Murch · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 10:46 am Post subject:

I think the ratios in the B box are slightly odd which I think makes gear changing more difficult, the A box is easier. But I'm sure we all have bad gear changing days!

https://www.vintagebentleys.org/restoration-info/02_13.php

Quentin, I expect you have seen and heard plenty of other 3ltrs, should you like to make a comparison with my car, I would be very happy to drive over to you.

Nicholas Simons · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 12:01 pm Post subject:

My B box has been converted to BS by the previous owner. I find changing down into 3 easy, but much harder into 2. It's all down to practice.

Quentin Chases · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:00 pm Post subject:

Dear John,
I see you are in the Barbican, I don’t believe it. I was there today in Mountjoy house having lunch with a bonkers friend who has loads of interesting cars in the underground car park. his name is Johnny Vercoutre and he is a member of the BDC.

The other day we drove from the barbican to Bermondsey in his Derby Bentley for a coffee.

John Murch · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 8:13 pm Post subject:

Small world! I don’t keep my car here, as vintage car driving in central London is not high on my list of pleasures, I have a little place near Pangbourne where the 3ltr lives.
Hopefully we will meet up at some point.

Quentin Chases · Posted: Tue Mar 16, 2021 11:36 pm Post subject:

Yes let’s meet up, I am just up the road in old Amersham. But next time I am in the Barbican lets meet up. my friend Johnny has about ten cars in the underground car park, some really weird stuff