Engine Help

[MikeBarn]

Last year I purchased a 65 Coronet with a 440/6pk and a hemi 4spd. I'm trying to decide how I should go forward from here. I've been contemplating a head or cam change. I'm not looking for a full-time track car, but I might venture out for some runs during the summer months. I want it to sound mean, and right now its just not the head turner I'm looking for. That being said, I've put 500 or so miles on it since the purchase and it's a great running engine. Any suggestions or comments would be extremely helpful.

When I purchased the car I rec'd a folder with a bunch of receipts. I just went through and pulled out as much info as I possibly could. The build was done from 1983-1984, so obviously prices below reflect those dates.

Heads - 452
Cam - Mopar Performance P4120237 $124 (I have a receipt from Isky for cam work @ $120, all it says is "machine/tool cam" $120)
Valve Springs - Mopar Performance P3690933 $56
Pistons - TRW L2295-30 $49 each
Crankshaft - 3512036 $503.24
Bolt Set - P4120068 $21.95
Gasket Set - Fel Pro FS7891PT-11
Shot-Peened and Magnafluxed

 

[lewtot184]

i sure can't imagine that cam not being enough. i don't like those valve springs with that cam (coil bind issues). a set of ported heads will add power but the engine won't lope more.

 

[Meep-Meep]

First of all I don't like those rockers and push rods with that cam and springs. That cam number turns out to be a .509" and the springs are the same ones I'm running with my little .455" cam. Supposed to be good for .500" lift so as mentioned you're pushing the envelope. The .509 cam is not shy when it comes to a thumpy idle so I'd start looking at what you currently have. Check compression, timing curve and mixture strength.