What's best? Left or right hand threads on camshaf

Anyway the bottom line keeping the nut on is not so much a function of which thread it is, but rather of proper installation: 1 – When assembling make sure the cam nut is properly torqued. 2 – Use a NEW keeper plate under the nut, then bend it up fully to catch the nut flats in 3 places 120 deg apart after the nut is final torqued. 3 – Make sure the hydraulic pump relief valve is in place and properly set. (It should bypass above 1,200 psi). If the relief is missing or adjusted too high it puts extra stress on an already highly stressed part (the cam gear) which can then cause the gear hub to break or the nut work loose.

Worked on a SMTA about 10 years ago for a neighbor. He told me the problem was Ignition. Spent a hour trying to chase ignition fault. Tractor had spark. Finally listening to the funny way the engine was cranking I lifted the rocker cover. Hit the starter switch and nothing moved.

Wound up the cam had broken just behind the gear. The gear was held in the cover tight enough to run the distributer. Talked with a old time IH mechnic he told me that when IH put live hydraulic pumps on they started to have problems with the cam nut working loose. With time the gear would hammer on the shaft and break it off. LH nut cured the problem thus that is all IH offers now.

HTH

JT