The cams on the camshaft.
NEW ANSWER : Yes it is the camshaft, But it is the LOBES on it that makes the valves open and shut. Not the Cams that's on it, No such thing.
Response to new answer: look up cam in a dictionary or on wikipedia. It's an irregular fitting on a camshaft that converts rotational motion to reciprocating motion. That said, the term "cam" is interchangeable with "lobe".
The camshaft(s) lobes push up on the rockers on top of the cylinders, which pushes down on the vavles, causing them to open
Valves on a small engine control the flow of air and fuel into the combustion chamber and the expulsion of exhaust gases. Typically, there are two types of valves: intake valves, which open to allow the air-fuel mixture in, and exhaust valves, which open to let out combustion gases. These valves are operated by a camshaft that pushes them open at specific times during the engine's four-stroke cycle (intake, compression, power, and exhaust). Proper valve timing and function are crucial for efficient engine performance and power generation.
It refers to an engine where the area occupied by the valves when they are open is occupied by the piston when the valves are closed. If the timing belt lets go while the engine is running the piston will smash the open valves doing loads of damage.
The valves in a car engine are opened and closed by a cam shaft driven by the engine crankshaft. they allow the flow of gases and fuel into the engine and the burnt gases out of the engine into the exhaust system.
A camshaft pushes against valves in your engine that allow air and fuel in, and exhaust out. This is important, otherwise the valves would not work as well and exhaust would build up, and it would be difficult to allow air and fuel in.
If the timing belt broke on an interference engine, the open valves and pistons would collide and wreck the engine.
the 4.3 litre vortec V-6 is a pushrod engine. the camshaft is in the middle of the block, and it pushes rods that open and close the valves in the heads. it uses a timing chain to to turn the camshaft. so it has a timing chain
a cam in engine is to operate the lifters which in turn open and close the inlet and exhaust valves
A mechanical cam in an engine converts rotational motion into linear motion to control the opening and closing of engine valves. As the cam rotates, its specially shaped profile pushes against a follower, which moves vertically to open the valve at precise timing during the engine's cycle. This ensures that the intake and exhaust valves operate efficiently, allowing for optimal airflow and combustion. The design of the cam determines the timing, duration, and lift of the valve movement, critical for engine performance.
overlap
The cam pushes the lifter and pushrod up. The rocker sits on a fulcrum, which converts the upward motion of the pushrod into downward motion to open the valve.
Rocker arms, in conjunction with the camshafts, do so. The camshaft has an egg pattern on it, and this pushes the rocker arms up and down. The rocker arms are connected to the valves, and this puts the fuel/air mixture into the engine, then takes it out again