VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1949-1954 Camshaft forged or cast steel

I have been given to understand that cam shafts can be made of either cast steel or forged steel and that one is harder than the other. The issues is that the distributor drive gear is supposed to be compatable with the material of the cam to insure it dosen't wear out prematurly. I have a 58 chevy 261 engine with a brandy new camshaft and I am concerned that the driven gear on my distributor is the correct material for this cam. How can a mere mortal like myself determine what the cam and distributor gear are made of and if they are compatable? ...---...

Typically you discuss cast vs. forged in the context of crankshafts as forged is desirable when increasing HP. In all my years, I have never had such a discussion around a cam. Typically the only issue there would be around lobe wear, again on a performance motor where heavier springs are used to prevent valve float and the extra load is placed on the cam through the rockers or lifters. I really don't think you have to worry much about the distributor gear. There is no load there and as long as it is lubricated, life will be good.

Chevrolet used only forged camshafts up through 1953. In 1954 the hydraulic lifter cam was changed to cast and the dist. gear and lifters changed material also. The solid lifter cams changed early in 1954 so your 1958 had a cast cam.
The 1958 261 cam is the same as a 235 cam of that year.

One more mystery solved. Thanks guys. Your help is truly appreciated.