49mm camshafts with 2.7 heads

[Samujr]

I have set of slightly used cams with MFI drive. Made a mistake and did not ask bearing size. So these are 49mm with four bearings. I will try to mock up late housings with early heads to see how rockers will match with valves, but I'm afraid these cams are for 3.0 and later heads with shorter valves.

So is it possible to grind camshafts from 49 to 47mm and use with late 2.7 cam carriers/housings together with early heads? No other modifications needed?

[Flat6pac]

You need to open up the 3 bearing cam carriers to the larger size as the factory did when the carriers used on the 3.0 carried a 901 part number. 3 or 4 bearing doesnt matter as long as your not oiling without a bearing to oil.
If you cut the cam to fit the 3 bearing carrier, the lobes are too big to install..been there and tried.
Find a pair of 4 bearing carriers is the best answer.
Bruce

[Henry Schmidt]

You can grind the cams to fit as long as the lift on the new cam does not exceed the journal diameter.
The big issue (if there is one) is the base circle. With the 49 mm cams the base circle is larger so on the 3.0 and larger heads, the valve stems are shorter. When you put the 3.0+ cams on a 2.7 or less engine the valve adjusters ends up way too short changing the rocker geometry. If it's too short it can restrict the movement of the elephant foot on the valve adjuster. You can also see the adjuster hit the valve cover in these situations.
You can shorten the valve stem length to restore the proper dimensions but then you would need a lash cap.

If you have the cams on the grinder anyway, why not just grind the cams to suit the 2.7 valve geometry.

[Samujr]

Yeah, donno know what I was thinking. Obviously the valve length issue is still there as both early and late cam housings are having same dimensions except bearing count and diameter.
Cams are already here, made by camgrinder for customer in UK. He was running them before sold to me. So I will mock up and check how the adjusters sits. If someone has 3 bearing dc60 or equal for MFI, pm me.
Thank you!