1 bolt or three bolt

[dodj]

What is the difference between a 1 bolt and a three bolt cam? Just the timing gear attachment? Why are there two types? Is there that much resistance to turning a cam that it needs three bolts cuz of higher spring pressures needed for more radical cams? 

[Chryco Psycho]

Big difference , all performance engines used the 3 bolt design , 1 bolt in the center & a pin is not a lot of strength , trying to shear off 3 bolts + a pin is a lot stronger , especially when you get into high lift or roller cams with killer spring pressures .
 Most cam companies offer to grand any cam on 1 or 3 bolt at no extra charge so I always order 3 bolt

[Jesus H Chrysler]

  I had a slant six, of all things, shear the cam pin and torque the cam bolt till it broke.  Found the top timing gear sitting on the bottom one in a nest of it's own chain.  Thankfully I haven't seen it on any other engine.  Yet.