Any point in changing the cam in my car?

[Secret Chimp]

I'm in the middle of a replace-the-usual-wear-items laundry list for my 67's 318.

I'm about to be finished with the intake manifold gaskets and I'm about to move on to the timing chain and water pump.

Right now, my engine is all stock aside from a Mopar orange box ignition and distributor and a dual exhaust off the stock manifolds. My original camshaft doesn't look too terrible but there's some chipping along the sides of most of the lobes.

With my car set up as it is now, are there any gains to be had by swapping in a different cheapo cam while I'm doing my timing chain/gears? What specific cams should I look at if so? I'm just looking for good mileage and regular-driver running right now.

I know a Performer/4-barrel setup can get me both more power and MPGs, but I can't justify dumping hundreds on my engine when I have leaky door seals and other fun Washington-related issues.

 

[Cranky]

I've had pretty decent results with using the stock cams with a carb/intake change along with headers but I wasn't after mileage. It depends on the shape of the engine, miles on it etc.

 

[WileE]

Back in the gas-crunch 70's, there were a few cams specifically manufactured for economy. Isky & others had cams called "mileage-master", "mile-a-mor" or something to that effect. I don't know if they, or anything like them, are still being made.

 

[Cranky]

Back in the gas-crunch 70's, there were a few cams specifically manufactured for economy. Isky & others had cams called "mileage-master", "mile-a-mor" or something to that effect. I don't know if they, or anything like them, are still being made.

IIRC, those cams cam out in about the early to mid 70's (gas crunch days) after compression was lowered on most American engines and these cams had late intake openings (among other things) which helped raise cylinder pressure a bit. Kinda made a low compression engine think it had more. They were mostly called RV cams later on.....

 

[Secret Chimp]

I'm not looking to go after even more mileage with something even tamer than stock, I just don't want to put a big dent in what I have now. If there's something a little stronger than stock that will give me more poke around town while still being good for 60mph cruising (I have 2.93 gears so I'm not running too crazy of an RPM at speed) I'll throw it in.

 

[Ron 73]

If you want just a bit more poke around town, id try to find a used intake and carb like Cranky said.. A set of headers would up it some more, sometimes using a 4-barrel ive found in times past that it can actually save be easy on some gas if you don't use it to hard..

 

[Secret Chimp]

Maybe I'll just look for a Weiand dual plane or a Performer then. I like how my 2 barrel Carter has worked so far, is a 600cfm Carter repro by Holley usually a good choice, Edelbrocks? or just get an older TQ? My current Carter is dead simple to tune, I dunno if I want to get into air bleeds and all of that weird Holley-specific junk.

 

[Ron 73]

Mine is a 73 Satty, it has a 318 in it and i have the old transula Eddy intake with a 500 CFM Eddy... Seems to be very good, i think, on gas and it the same time you have the little extra "poke" around town, It did have a Carter 625 or 50 CFM on it and i cant see any difference in the two.. I think the Eddy is a easy one to dial in, but my car aint no HP queen, it has a bigger cam in it but cant tell you what it is, it came in the car. Even with the stock cam in a 318 it would give you a little extra and if you want to add headers a bit more.. Edelbrock bought out Carter if i remember right, there basically the same. Im sure these other guys can give you some ideas, you said just some extra and with a 4-barrel you would have it without emptying your wallet. Its possible someone here may have a good used carb/intake that could help you if you decide to go that route.. Good luck..

 

[67 B-body]

I think everyone should be aware,,,,, Some of the parts stores actualy carry replacement Carter carbs for Dodge / Plymouth at a lower price than Edelbrock carbs! Sure you might not have the "cheap" chrome finish that the Eddy comes with...... but I can live without it!
I did this for a few guys in the past on engine builds....
I'm all about cost savings without sacrificing the important stuff!!!!
Just look back at some classic car with a 340, "maybe a challenger" and then go shopping around the discount part stores... You might be suprised at what you find!

 

[Patrick]

Before I went nuts with my 73, 318 Charger I ran a 70 stock 340 cam. It had great throttle response, and I picked up 4mpg. Everything else was bone stock for over 30 years.

 

[Meep-Meep]

If you go with a 4 BBL just get an intake and carb off a late model 360. Those are almost free and will run just as well as a performer on the street. If your cam is excessively worn then you might consider a 73 340 cam (for the low compression engine) or a similar grind.

 

[Secret Chimp]

If you go with a 4 BBL just get an intake and carb off a late model 360. Those are almost free and will run just as well as a performer on the street. If your cam is excessively worn then you might consider a 73 340 cam (for the low compression engine) or a similar grind.

Would I need to futz with the jets if I was using a stock 360 carb?