Super M camshaft

[markalayne]

The keyway is wallered out, broken gear due to
loosened nut. I am thinking of reassembling with new
gear, new key, new keeper????? and locktight as I
have seen on here. I am a driveway farmer so don"t
work the tractor hard, just occasional mowing and
plowing snow. From what I have gathered from the
archives removing the camshaft looks to be very
difficult, especially dealing with the lifters let
alone expensive. Any comments would be appreciated

 

[Janicholson]

Were it mine, and if I decided not to remove the cam and replace it, I would use a Dremel tool to square up the keyway slot in the cam then make a new key that was offset on one side to allow it to fit the new cam gear, and keep the timing. The new gear should be from a SM or newer tractor including 450. Jim

 

[Bob M]

That's pretty much how the camshaft was on my Super M. When I opened it up I discovered one whole side of the keyway was missing. It apparently got chipped out while the cam gear was thrashing itself to death after the nut came off.

Not wanting to replace the camshaft, I took a new Woodruff key and used JB Weld to hold it in place against the remaining good side of the keyway while the new gear was installed. Once the new gear was in place I treated the camshaft threads with Locktite then installed/torqued a new nut and keeper.

The cobbed repair worked. The engine and live hydraulics have been working perfectly for about 10 years now - including plowing which puts a heavy load on the live pump and cam gear.

 

[markalayne]

Thanks to both of you for the input. Bob, I stole your idea from the archives. Does the keeper go in between the nut and the gear like a lock washer? And can I buy one when I buy the gear?
Jim,I don't think I have the expertise to make my own key, but what a great idea. Thanks again.