Cam and intake choice...looking for suggestions...

[Rodcuda]

Put it in just like it is with a good set of headers and you will be surprised. Then you can make changes like the intake and cam later if you want to. If you start getting into it you will inevitably get carried away and not be enjoying you car.

 

[q-ship]

Put it in just like it is with a good set of headers and you will be surprised. Then you can make changes like the intake and cam later if you want to. If you start getting into it you will inevitably get carried away and not be enjoying you car.

Though I don't disagree with this, the OP stated definitively what his goals are, and changing cams in the car is about the most distasteful and time consuming jobs I know.

The engine is out of the car right now with the heads and manifold off. It will never get easier to make changes at this point, plus his desired changes are quite the opposite of "getting carried away". Not only that, it's not like he has a 60's HP engine that he wants to improve, the 70's engines can be improved upon quite dramatically with a few changes.

For most people I would agree with your statement, but in this case, my personal opinion is not to get to anxious to make it run is by far the best plan.

 

[TommyShameless1978]

q-ship, I would LOVE to try out that cam! That is so awesome of you!!! Not sure what shipping would be, but I doubt it would be too terrible. I can easily wait until the weekend no problem. I'll send this whole post as a PM too, along with my home address so we can figure out shipping. Thanks again so much!

I was initially concerned about reactions I would get from people pertaining to how I am going about this car. Taking such a ruthlessly old school approach, I get crap from everyone. But the people on this board have been so helpful and supportive! Another member is selling me the M/T valve covers, engine brackets, water pump cover, and kickdown linkage I need. That's right! M/T valve covers!

I very much look forward to the day I have it all back together and running, and can post videos and pics for everyone here to check out.

Tommy

 

[Meep-Meep]

Q-ship, I'm running 915 closed chambers with about .040" quench clearance and a no dome piston. My total timing is at 36-38 deg all in by 2500. With the vacuum advance hooked up I get 55 deg off the ported carb fitting. Light load with part throttle, basically babying it around, it does just fine. I can actually drive it to the track on pump 91 then top off with some good stuff for the race. I did notice on the hot days it's a little more temperamental probably because the inlet fuel mixture temps are higher. I had a 66 F250 with a 352 and it blew 160 PSI and that one ran on 87 no problem. Towing, WOT, etc.. Never any pinging.

I agree that people will tend to put too much cam vs. compression and then blame the carb when it doesn't work. Like you, I have been there. Cylinder pressure and octane requirement rule the day. On my 66 Plymouth I'm stuck with running nearly 100 octane until I decide (if I decide) to swap out the steel shim gaskets for comps and possibly add some aluminum heads with a slightly bigger chamber. For now I think I will be having some fun the way it is. As a matter of fact I plan to install a factory cast iron intake just to make a point. Hmmm, add 4.10's and sticky tires and possibly get 12.50's with a basically stock engine? Stay tuned!

 

[q-ship]

Tommy, Even though I sent you a PM on the cam, I thought I would show you and everyone else what I found.

Hopfully my picture works.

Un-opend 30 year old box.

What amazed me is that I live in one of the most rust free climates on earth. A rusty battery tray is cause for sending a car to the junkyard out here, so why the cam was so rusty I can't even guess at.

Sorry.

P.S as a side note, this is the hardest website to upload pictures on that I have ever seen.

 

[rumblefish360]

Hey G. I bet it is because any moisture in the crank case can not escape and coats the cam over and over again.

 

[69 Runner]

You're kidding. Right? You can either upload pics from your computer to the forum's server, or link them from a hosting site.

what's so hard about that?

 

[q-ship]

You're kidding. Right? You can either upload pics from your computer to the forum's server, or link them from a hosting site.

what's so hard about that?

Well the web site won't automatically resize photos, so you have to re-size them manually, re-save them, then upload.

That was the norm 10+ years ago, but is archaic by todays standards.

Not impossible, but a pain in the *** nowdays.

I spent 10+ years as a programmer back in the ancient C/PM system days, so I don't find it difficult, just surprising.

I bet that there would be many times more photos posted if current posting protocols were used, which would be a benefit to the ease of information exchange on the board.

 

[rumblefish360]

Hummmmmmmmm, interesting.

 

[TommyShameless1978]

In a moment of generosity, I have decided to give you all a good laugh at my expense, with the following statement...

I can't help but notice that the cam in the picture looks purple. Is this the reason why they call them "purple shafts"? I really had no idea it was that literal.

You're welcome, everyone,
Tommy

 

[moparstuart]

my question is being new would that cam clean up or is the rust and pitting completely ruined it ?? I know cams are pretty cheap but just asking ?

 

[rumblefish360]

I can't help but notice that the cam in the picture looks purple. Is this the reason why they call them "purple shafts"? I really had no idea it was that literal.

Tommy

Tommy, yes, they called it a purple cam just for that very reason, it was purple! LOL!

my question is being new would that cam clean up or is the rust and pitting completely ruined it ?? I know cams are pretty cheap but just asking ?

Stu, that's not a cleanable part really. That is shot out and ony good for a fishing weight now. You could have it reground if it is not to badly rusted. Problem there, it costs about the same as a new cam.