Supercharged Camshaft Design

No problem, when I bought the Timeless Classic fourteen years ago I think I read it four times in a row to remember as much as I could. It is also a wonderful book to read even if you don't own a Cord.

Thanks, somehow I missed that in Josh's book, Looks like a time to reread it.

Supercharging was taken into consideration for the initial design. The blocks were all cast the same except for the relocation of the fuel pump later on. When superchargers were fitted the mounting holes were drilled in the lugs at the top of the valve chamber. The wide journal on the camshaft was machined to suit the adjacent bearing. They expected to be able to use the original camshaft however it had to be redesigned to change the firing order during trials with a supercharger fitted. It's all explained in Josh Malks books.

This brings up a question. why does a camshaft from an unsupercharged Cord have a journal for a supercharger gear on it? The cams are different between a standard Cord and a supercharged Cord and the firing order is different. The story I have is that Auburn was not going to supercharge the car originally. So why machine a journal for it also why are there fingers cast in the top of the block that are only drilled and taped for use of the supercharger mounting. Again if they had not planed on supercharging the block.

Thanks guys, the subject came up during a conversation down here. I had no idea of the drive gear diameter.
I suppose it would be rather difficult to thread a 4" diameter gear through the block. Obviously from a manufacturing point of view is makes sense to make the parts separately. They had the complete design laid out of the supercharged engine in early 1935.

separate gear , held in with a threaded nut, key and lock washer. Ring and pinion design and matched. Gear diameter much larger then bearing diameter.

The gear is removable; keyed and held in place by a nut.
It would be hard to get the cam in with a 4" gear attached.
Pete

I have not seen a supercharged camshaft but I am wondering if the supercharger drive gear is removeable or machined as part of the camshaft? The question is just for general knowledge.