TOPIC:

If anyone has a stock of pre J motor cam caps i would be real grateful if you would part with them for a fair price. i have a few heads that are in good condition but minus the cam caps. Im trying to get as many as i can to see if i can get a working set or 2. I am fully aware of the dangers of miss matching cam caps so im looking to get may hands on as many as i can to take the time to make sure everything matches perfectly. Thanks in advance of any help with this.

Cam caps are line bored on their mated head at the factory.  Caps from other heads may or may not be useable.

Good Luck.

Good Ridin'
slmjim & Z1BEBE

I see them sold on eBay often but I wouldn't buy them unless they're super cheap. It's a crap shoot at best. 
It can be done. I proved that but one wouldn't work no matter what I did. 
Steve

As slmjim said, the caps are machined along with the head, random parts may or may not work.  A simple test with plastigauge will tell you whether or not you have a winner.  I have a set left over from a 1974 head which I discarded 25 years ago that I judged to be beyond repair. I'm willing to part with them for less than stupid Ebay $$$ if it could possibly help you out.

Mike 

Thank guys for the reply and Swest for the vid links and krazee i will gladly take you up on your offer. i will send a p.m after this. I have 2 heads one in good enough condition and the other will need work as it has fin damage but i got both in a job lot and i cant let a good part die, not if i can save it. I know its a crap shoot but if they dont work ill sell them onto the next guy in need. Ill do everything right, as its supposed to be done.

The only difference in caps are the two ribs on the tops. They will all bolt down but the alignment can be off. That's the problem. Been running the head in the vid's and the mild porting made a noticeable improvement.   So much so it uncovered a weak clutch issue. The original head is waiting for a rebuild with larger valves but there's no hurry now this head is working so well. I had to turn two caps backwards for them to work. I marked them and if I ever sold it I would have to disclose what had been done to it. Meanwhile I'll RIDE THE PISS OUT OF IT. 
Steve

Ha kinda my Dads way of looking at things, he was a mechanic and a real good one at that. From road cars, to rally, to open wheel formula Ford, there was always a make it work philosophy. I do not want to junk any engines, they are worth their weight in gold over here these days so ill do everything good and true and if it dont work..it dont work. while we are on the subject what the difference between the ribbed and non ribbed cam caps?

This type.

 

and this type.

 

That's it and the ribbed type is backwards.
Steve

yep i know i just put it up there for the photo but what is the difference between them? were they model specific?

Z1-KZ900

wrote:

Cam caps are line bored on their mated head at the factory.  Caps from other heads may or may not be useable.
 

Is this true across all models? I have a spare 440 head that is missing the caps.

Can a shop re-line-bore a non-original set of caps? I imagine that would require different bearings.