Cam choice for a '68 CJ Cougar

[WConley]

Hi guys -

My buddy Tim is building up a date code correct 428 CJ for his 1968 Cougar.  This car is really rare and awesome - a factory sunroof R-Code XR-7 cat.  Right now it's running a stroked medium riser with a built C-6 and 3:50 Currie axle.

He wants to go more correct for a potential sale down the road.  The new engine will feature the following:

• Stock block with a 4.125" or 4.25" stroker kit, depending on how healthy the walls are.
• Stock heads with a good valve job and maybe a bowl cleanup.
• Lightweight Ross pistons to get near 10:1 for pump gas.
• Date-coded carburetor and intake.
• Hooker Super Comp Headers will stay on (date-coded exhaust manifolds stay in a box!)
• C-6 with wide-ratio gearset and 2400 stall converter.
• 3:50 Traction-Loc in correct 9" rear end assembly.

I've Talked Tim into a hydraulic roller, since this is just a fun street car that'll never see much north of 6,000 rpm.  What do you guys think a good choice would be?  We need good idle quality and vacuum, with a bit of a rumble.  A wide torque band would be best for driveability.  Figure CID will be in the mid - high 400 inch range, depending on the final stroke.

He'd like to end up with a no fuss, reliable weekend driver that will have no trouble lighting up a set of drag radials.  Your suggestions would be most appreciated!

- Bill

[jayb]

Bill, say hi to Tim for me.  Here's my suggestion:

- Go with the 4.25" stroke and whatever piston you need to get 10.0:1 compression.  462 cubes.

- I'd waffle between two Comp hydraulic roller profiles, either the 3314 lobe (276 advertised, 224 @ .050", 0.590" lift), or the next step up which is the 3315 lobe (282 advertised, 230 @ .050", 0.595" lift).  With the cubes I think I'd lean towards the 3315.  Set it up with a 110 LSA, and a 106 ICL, which gives a DCR of about 7.9:1.  Should have no fuel problems at that level, even with the cast iron heads.

- There seems to be general agreement that the Morel hydraulic rollers are the best; I'm a solid roller guy, but based on what I've read I think I'd go with the Morels.

Hope that helps.  Happy Thanksgiving!   Jay

[WConley]

Thanks Jay!  Best to you and yours as well.  It's a blustery 61 in SoCal today 

[plovett]

I think you want around 230 degrees @0.050".   High .500's for lift.  112-114 lobe separation angle.   Final displacement would move the duration a few degrees. Say 2-4 degrees.  Go on the low side for your 4.125" engine or on the high side for your 4.25" engine.  A little below or a little above 230 degrees on the intake side.  Add about 6-8 degrees for the exhaust.

If I could dream up a hydraulic roller for this combo it would likely be something like 228/236@ 0.050", 284/290 advertised, .580"/.580" lift, 112 LSA, installed on a 107 ICL.

JMO,

paulie

[WConley]

Thanks Paul!  I see that's similar to Jay's Comp 3315 suggestion, but with less overlap.  It will pull like a beast down low, but I wonder if the DCR will be high for iron heads on pump gas?

- Bill

[My427stang]

Paulies recommenation will have a lower DCR than Jay's due to a smidge more adv duration and later ICL

Either combo will work fine IMHO, Paulie's will likely idle a little milder with the wider LSA

[rockhouse66]

I am running this one with 462 cubes & everything else same as you describe except stock exhaust & and it makes plenty of vacuum & is very mild so I would go at least 230 deg

224/224 @ .050”, .616 lift, 104 ICL, 110 LSA.

[blykins]

I don't use Thumpr cams, but I really like their individual lobes for FE hydraulic rollers.  They seem to make good torque in my junk but they are not noisy.

I use a 227/233 cam a lot and I think it would be a good choice for this engine.  They run at about .560-.570 lift and are easy on parts.  It works well on a 110 LSA with a 104 ICL. 

That particular cam made 425 hp and 460 lbft in a 428 with factory heads and intake.  Plenty of vacuum, really torquey.

And yes, the Morel 5325 would be my lifter choice.

I can give you lobe numbers if you wish.

[rockhouse66]

I am running this one with 462 cubes & everything else same as you describe except stock exhaust & and it makes plenty of vacuum & is very mild so I would go at least 230 deg

224/224 @ .050”, .616 lift, 104 ICL, 110 LSA.

This engine made 515 TQ & 425 HP through iron exhaust manifolds with smog hooked up but won't blow the tires off 

[blykins]

It should...

[jayb]

Darn right it should.  Something's wrong; gears maybe?  Converter?

[Nightmist66]

Darn right it should.  Something's wrong; gears maybe?  Converter?

Con-vert-er. What's that? 

[rockhouse66]

Darn right it should.  Something's wrong; gears maybe?  Converter?

Yes it should.  I was trying to illustrate that the OP's project could easily handle more cam.  I don't mean to hijack the thread so will post info for input on my issues later in a separate thread.

[WConley]

I'm feeling the love for that 230 number!  I guess I shouldn't be too scared of the lower LSA numbers either, with all of those cubes.

Hell I got a 480" cammer to idle at 900 rpm with an 1150 Dominator once, and it was running a much bigger Comp grind:

272/ 272 @ 0.050", 106 ICL, 110 LSA,  0.605" lift.  It pulled like a freight train down low, though I don't think it would make enough idle vacuum to open a Cougar's headlight doors 

[blykins]

Just be mindful of the lobe designs, Bill.  There are some hydraulic roller lobes out there that are a little aggressive and will put out a little noise.  Some guys don't mind, some guys absolutely hate a little noise.