Cam Choices

[ChiefDanGeorge]

Once again I come to the forum for wisdom.
My application is my wagon for around town and highway cruising, so I am wondering what cam(s) I should be looking at.
I know in Barry's book he has a general recommendation, although I don't have the book in front of me at the moment.

Thanks once again!

[Drew Pojedinec]

Why not call BarryR, Brent Lykins, or any other reputable FE builder and tell them EVERYTHING about your engine/car/requirements?
Just buy the cam/lifters and parts from them.

Costs about the same, and you'll get something a little more exacting to your needs.

[abyars]

I want to second Drew's advice and add Oregon Cams to that list as well.

[plovett]

well hell man, what's your combination?

For sure the engine builder guys can give you a good recommendation, but that's not why you came here is it?

What's your combo?  There's lots of guys here who would love to give a recommendation?

JMO,

pauiie

[ChiefDanGeorge]

My setup is:
390 with a 4.125 stroker going into a Merc O'matic transmission with a 3.00 rear end.
I am not looking for a thumper cam, this car is just to knock around town in and do some roadtrips.
I'm also looking for valvetrain recommends. I'm running the Edlebrok RPM heads.
This is my first full engine build so I am seeking the wisdom of the forum.
What I won't be doing anytime soon is a transmission change. Tranny was rebuilt last year and with the OD in it, I get half way decent mileage on the highway.

[ScotiaFE]

What I won't be doing anytime soon is a transmission change. Tranny was rebuilt last year and with the OD in it, I get half way decent mileage on the highway.

ummm OD?
Please explain.

As for the cam something flat tappet or hyd roller?
Cost being a factor.
With the highway gear you want to keep the duration at a modest level.
Any reason you gave up the extra .125" of stroke?

[ChiefDanGeorge]

I talked to Barry and he recommended the 4.125. My criteria were that I want to use pump gas and get around 350hp and 400-500ft/lb torque.
I'm not really sure what to go for with respect to hydraulic versus flat.

What I won't be doing anytime soon is a transmission change. Tranny was rebuilt last year and with the OD in it, I get half way decent mileage on the highway.

ummm OD?
Please explain.

As for the cam something flat tappet or hyd roller?
Cost being a factor.
With the highway gear you want to keep the duration at a modest level.
Any reason you gave up the extra .125" of stroke?

[RJP]

If you are looking for a hard number recommendation for a cam I can offer the Crane hyd flat tappet. 272/284 with app. .540" lift. I run this cam grind in 2 engines, 1st] a mild built 390 .030" over,  1 x 4 bbl. C6. & 3.00 gear in my 66 Fairlane GTA. 2nd] in my ski boat,  Lavey-Craft V-drive flat, similar mild built 390 +.030", 1 x 4 bbl. Cam idles at about 600 rpms with just a hint of a rumble at idle but nothing outrageous. Starts to pull about 1800 rpm [stock converter] up to about 52-5300 rpms. Both engines deliver decent fuel mileage [car gets 16.5-17mpg/freeway] and both serves well for my intended use. I would use this cam without reservation again for most street applications as it makes good torque where it is needed the most, 25-2600-4K+ rpm.   

[plovett]

So to summarize:  If you have a .030" 390 block with a 4.125" crank, that gives you about 431 cubic inches.  You have 3.00 gears.  You have a 3 speed automatic trans.  I'm guessing a stock torque converter.  Edelbrock RPM heads.

You want highway cruising and around town performance with decent mpg. 

So far it sounds like you want a fairly mild hydraulic cam.   That would be a hydraulic flat tappet if budget is a concern.  You could use a hydraulic roller cam if budget is not a concern.

Valvetrain could be factory, either adjustable or non-adjustable, with a mild hydraulic flat tappet cam.  A hydraulic roller may require some upgrading.

What kind of car or truck is it going in?  Approximate weight?  Tire size?  What's the rest of the engine combination?  Compression ratio? Intake manifold?  Carb?  Headers or manifolds?  Exhaust system?  All that information will help us make a recommendation.

paulie

[ChiefDanGeorge]

Going in a '63 Colony park. Weighs around 4300lbs.
I'm not sure what the final compression ratio is going to be.
Carb will probably be a 750cfm, 4V.
Going to run headers if I can find a set that will fit.

So to summarize:  If you have a .030" 390 block with a 4.125" crank, that gives you about 431 cubic inches.  You have 3.00 gears.  You have a 3 speed automatic trans.  I'm guessing a stock torque converter.  Edelbrock RPM heads.

You want highway cruising and around town performance with decent mpg. 

So far it sounds like you want a fairly mild hydraulic cam.   That would be a hydraulic flat tappet if budget is a concern.  You could use a hydraulic roller cam if budget is not a concern.

Valvetrain could be factory, either adjustable or non-adjustable, with a mild hydraulic flat tappet cam.  A hydraulic roller may require some upgrading.

What kind of car or truck is it going in?  Approximate weight?  Tire size?  What's the rest of the engine combination?  Compression ratio? Intake manifold?  Carb?  Headers or manifolds?  Exhaust system?  All that information will help us make a recommendation.

paulie

[plovett]

So around 4300 lbs.  If you had a stock stroke 390 I'd think you might want around 205-210 degrees @ .050".  Since you have about 36 more cubic inches I'd add about 5-8 more degrees duration.   So, I think you might want something roughly in the 210-218 degree @ 0.050" range.

I'd keep the lobe separation angle in the 110-114 degree range, and get a as much lift as you can.

If you find headers I'd be inclined to use a single pattern cam, same duration on the intake and exhaust.  If you end up using manifolds, I'd get a dual pattern cam that has 6-8 degrees more on the exhaust side.  Make the exhaust as free flowing as you can in either case.

I'd go hydraulic flat tappet unless you want a hydraulic roller for some reason.

JMO,

paulie

[e philpott]

So around 4300 lbs.  If you had a stock stroke 390 I'd think you might want around 205-210 degrees @ .050".  Since you have about 36 more cubic inches I'd add about 5-8 more degrees duration.   So, I think you might want something roughly in the 210-218 degree @ 0.050" range.

I'd keep the lobe separation angle in the 110-114 degree range, and get a as much lift as you can.

If you find headers I'd be inclined to use a single pattern cam, same duration on the intake and exhaust.  If you end up using manifolds, I'd get a dual pattern cam that has 6-8 degrees more on the exhaust side.  Make the exhaust as free flowing as you can in either case.

I'd go hydraulic flat tappet unless you want a hydraulic roller for some reason.

JMO,

paulie

comp magnum 260 or 268 if the converter is loose

[ChiefDanGeorge]

Thanks for the help!

Reading a bit here to try and better understand the various specs.

So around 4300 lbs.  If you had a stock stroke 390 I'd think you might want around 205-210 degrees @ .050".  Since you have about 36 more cubic inches I'd add about 5-8 more degrees duration.   So, I think you might want something roughly in the 210-218 degree @ 0.050" range.

I'd keep the lobe separation angle in the 110-114 degree range, and get a as much lift as you can.

If you find headers I'd be inclined to use a single pattern cam, same duration on the intake and exhaust.  If you end up using manifolds, I'd get a dual pattern cam that has 6-8 degrees more on the exhaust side.  Make the exhaust as free flowing as you can in either case.

I'd go hydraulic flat tappet unless you want a hydraulic roller for some reason.

JMO,

paulie

[gdaddy01]

these guys are awesome , can not get this info off of talk radio or a news channel

[ChiefDanGeorge]

I'd love to still be able to call in to Car Talk and at least ask though.

these guys are awesome , can not get this info off of talk radio or a news channel