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An 'A' cam? I didn't think the US ever got any - those were standard issue on the 'A' version engines with a single SU (or stromberg) carb. Very low rpm tuning there.
I'd suggest going to a 'D' at least if you go to the trouble of taking it apart to replace it, it lets the engine rev higher with very little sacrifice in low rpm power. At least, not in any rpms you typically drive around using.
Swapping a cam is a pretty involved mechanical task. You have to remove the radiator and grille so the cam can slide out. You have to pull the head (remove the intake and exhaust manifolds, the generator adjusdter strut, the rocker arms, the temp gauge sender, the heater hoses, etc and unbolt - you'll need a torque wrench to properly reassemble this) to remove the lifters (can be fun reaching way down into those narrow galleys and trying to snag them!), which should be replaced with new ones. Then the water pump pulley, main pulley and timing cover comes off (two bolts into it from the oil pan too!). Then the distributor and distributor drive gear (which can be a ROYAL pain to get back in just right - I usually just get it close and fudge the wires of the distributor position). Then remove that big nut on the cam (you'll need a big socket - 25mm???) and pull the gear off with a puller. It's not worth pushing you luck on the gear, replace it with a new fiber one. Keep track of the little spacer on the cam shaft behind the gear. Then unbolt the the thrust washer (replace if any appreciable wear whatsover), and the cam can slide out. Be careful not not let the sharp edged lobes do too much damage to the cam bearings. The cam bearings in the block will *usually* not need replacing - which is a good thing - you'd have to have the engine out and completely disassembled and in a machine shop to do that!
Reassembly is the reverse of dissassembly, with some precise positioning of parts on occasion.
It's about as far apart as your motor can get while not out and on a stand being stripped bare. Hopefully this will give you an indication of whether or not you'd want to tackle it.
Parts:
Cam
Lifters
Timing cover gasket
Timing cover seal (a good idea, even better to put in a rubber seal if you have the felt)
Timing gear
Head gasket (including water pump seals)
Intake/exhaust gasket
Other things I forgot
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I'm JohnMc, and I approved this message.
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