68 383 2BBL Cam

[EngineerDoug]

Hello all,

I've been evaluating the 383 that came with my '68 Coronet and have got it running. It needs a bit more TLC, but if it runs well enough I may use it as a powerplant for a while. I am about to change out the 2BBL setup for a dual plane 4BBL intake and a 650 CFM Holley. At first it seemed that the 2BBL cam might be super conservative, but I have heard that this is the same cam that was used in some 330hp 4BBL engines in '68. Can anybody confirm this? I am not interested in anything beyond a mild street cam anyway (~220 degrees @ 0.050"), so if the stock cam will respond to intake, carb, and headers I might just leave it alone.

Thanks.

 

[Darthomas]

I had this "standard cam" in the 66 383 4 bbl with 10.25:1 ....252/260 and it makes insane torque at low speeds.
Idles real smooth.
At some point I changed to 68 heads and 383 Roadrunner 260/268 cam.
Screams better, idles kinda lumpy, but the torque on takeoff ain't what it usta was.
That was into 727 and a 3.23 gear.
Still has that '68 cut cam.

 

[Garys1969RR]

That cam will work, but one at around .484 lift and 268/284 intake/exhaust degrees of duration will produce more power. Pretty sure this was the valve duration for the Magnum engines. Try a 383/440 Magnum cam if you can get hold of one.

 

[Darter6]

If you are on a budget,The stock cam will be fine for now.I did a 64 Poly 318 the same,,headers,intake,600 carb.Made a big difference with using the stock cam.Any Idea of your rear gear ratio?

 

[Ranger16]

That cam will work, but one at around .484 lift and 268/284 intake/exhaust degrees of duration will produce more power. Pretty sure this was the valve duration for the Magnum engines. Try a 383/440 Magnum cam if you can get hold of one.

I have one available.

 

[khryslerkid]

I had a '64 Dodge, tired 383 2bbl. I friend of mine had some top end parts off of a 440 that he punched a hole in the bottom of. Closed chambered heads, stock 4bbl. intake with carb, a Crower 460/280/110 cam with high pump lifters.
Found a set of second hand headers and eventually installed a Dana 456 rear.
I had that car in the 13's with a stock converter.

All you have to do with these mopar B blocks and RB's is to let them breath and that doesn't take much.
You can get by with that cam. With the 4bbl and headers, you'll feel a big difference.

 

[EngineerDoug]

Hey thanks, guys - I think I will stay with the cam that is in there. My plan for the car is to build a 440 stroker with all the goodies, but first I have to build the car itself. Once that is done, I'll save up the coin for the 440. I know the 383 is a good motor, and I have had a couple of them. I want to put a minimal amount into it, clean it up, and just use it for a driver.

When I bought the car, all the seller knew was that he had poured some gas into the carb, and it ran without making any bad noises. The car itself was not driveable for a multitude of reasons. So I am pleased (so far) to see the engine run on my homebrew stand, and build good compression and oil pressure.

Thanks again.

 

[lewtot184]

those 2bbl/lowpo engines had different valve springs than the hipo/magnums. any increase in lift will need a spring change.