US '75 Spider cams

ratcat · #1 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 09:03 AM

Hi guys,
I'm back with cams problem in my US '75 Spider. Alfaparticle wrote me an answer one day:

"Spica cams do not work well with carbs. The standard European cams 105480320001 are much better. The factory setting for these is 99.5 degree lobe senters. The US '75 Spiders have timing marks at 114 degrees. If you simply re-time your cams to 102 degrees you should see an improvement."

So I cut out Centerline intake and exhoust tempetes and checked the original timing marks on the cam bearing caps. As you can see the marks are precisely at 102 degrees. What's going on?

The both cams are stamped 1052003 20000. Body No. 11541 Spider Veloce (USA).
The only problem I have with that engine is to high gas mileage; 12 l/100 km. Carbs are as new and adjusted.
Can anybody help me with any idea ? What shoud I do with the cams ?
Thanks
ratcat

**Alfar7** · #2 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 09:20 AM

You obviously have a `77 to `79 head which had 102 LC cap stampings. The cams you have are the worst Alfa made. Ask Alfaparticle to sell you one of his C&B 47s as an intake cam. That will wake it up nicely. If you want real performance it can be remarkable what you can get out of your stock motor with the correct assymetrical cam pairings.
Lots of info here on the BB. Look at the old thread "Mystery Cam" You have both a 10548--"01" & "51" in Europe. Start at the beginning of that thread!

**alfaparticle** · #3 (**permalink**) 01-13-2008, 05:01 PM

It's true, I have a surplus CB47 and I will soon have a second one.
Ed Prytherch

ratcat · #4 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008, 05:47 AM

Thank you Richard, thank you Ed.
Thera are few offers of different cams for carb engines on the market from International, Centerline, Clasicalfa, Alfaholic, SpiderPoint ect. I try to compare their spec descriptions and prices and I still cannot choose. I need my Alfa for daily ride so I expect to echieve possibly economic mileage. Could you recommend me any cam in that case?
Ed, can you tell me about CB47 cams something more? Do they have some advantages compare to otherone? Send me private message please, I'm interested.
ratcat

**Alfar7** · #5 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008, 06:34 AM

]Thera are few offers of different cams for carb engines on the market from International, Centerline, Clasicalfa, Alfaholic, SpiderPoint ect. I try to compare their spec descriptions and prices and I still cannot choose[/quote]

As I have said in other post, unless you get the full cam profiles, not just lift and overall duration, you don`t know what you are getting. Most are old outdated lobe designs, and with metallurgy that is way behind the curve. Do your research!

**alfaparticle** · #6 (**permalink**) 01-14-2008, 08:52 AM

When I switched from 10548 "Euro" cams to CB47's on my Spider, the gas mileage changed from about 25 mpg to about 24 mpg. The engine made a lot more power above 4000 rpm and the low end was still good enough for my wife to be able to drive it around town. The peak power seemed be between 6000 and 6500 rpm. This engine has 10:1 pistons, 40DCOE115/116 with 34mm venturi's headers & electronic ignition.
Ed