Is there such a thing as Cams for Dummies

[MikeB]

Probably need to go back with something mild but maybe with a little more spice.

Choose a modern cam with similar duration to stock, but with more valve lift. Of course you've got to find the stock cam's specs first. Also, forget "advertised duration", because it can be all over the map depending on how it's measured. Use duration @ .050" for comparisons.

On another note, crappy heads and stock exhaust won't necessarily be helped by a bigger cam; whereas good heads and free-flowing exhaust will add more power without a bigger cam. Back in the day, Chevy small blocks used the same cam in a 195hp 283 as they did in a 300hp 327. That additional 105hp came not just from 44 more cubic inches, but also from better intake manifold & carb, better heads, and dual exhausts.

 

[Craig Nedrow]

l have had this book since the early 70s had a 65 Chevelle 327 12.5:1 high-rise to 600 Hollys, big roller cam so I figured I better learn how to use it. This is a great book. Also David Vizard has a ton of good information I’m not too hot on the recommendations of cam people often I don’t think it’s the right choice study study study.

 

[Snoots]

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[Camar068]

Thanks guys, as usual it sounds like I’m probably making things more difficult than they are. As of right now the truck is an 80 c20 with either 4:10 or 4:11 rear end. 4 speed standard transmission, Q jet carburetor that is supposedly opened up to dump more fuel when you give the pedal full throttle, and a possible unknown mild cam. From what I’m picking up so far since this will be a cruising and possibly pulling truck a mild cam will probably be what I end up with. When I get ready contact the manufacturer direct to get the best one suited for what I want.

Bryan Tooley Racing has military discount....10%. Gotta call to get it though.

Never mind, looks like they only do later chevy engines.

 

[AKguy]

With all of the monkey business of flat tappet cams and lifters these days, I would be inclined to use a roller cam. The extra $ spent will still be cheaper than wasting an engine on a failed cam or lifter.

I used to think the same until I had a set of roller lifters fail recently.

 

[potent rodent]

I used to think the same until I had a set of roller lifters fail recently.

same thing happen to a friend of mines 302 ford he stuck new roller in and lifters went bad after 20 min break in

 

[TotalyHucked]

Yeah, lifters have been a point of contention the last few years. In the LS world, the LS7s were the number one go-to until they started to fail left and right. Now, if you're gonna order lifters, the best bet is to go through a quality aftermarket company that tests the metal in each batch/makes them in small batches. Morel and Johnson would be who I'd go with if I needed some right now