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Necoa #: 10830
Location: 6(FL)
Joined: Jan 21, 2008
Posts: 3
Year: 1983
Model: El Camino
Posted: Thu Feb 14, 2008 11:26 pm Post subject: Building a .040 over 350, cam suggestions
Hi all. I recently started work on an 84 Choo-Choo Camino, the orginal
305 was replaced with a 350 with 40 over TRW pistons and Dart SS Heads.
I have an Edilbrock Performer RPM manifold, Edilbrock 650 CFM carb.
He also purchased a nice Holley fuel pump and Hooker coated headers. I am having the heads refreshed and he mentioned he would like to cam it.
So, have any of you run a mild street cam in a 350 small block with stock rockers and springs that wouldnt be more trouble than its worth? I am usually sceptical of doing just a cam and not the whole valve train, so ring in if you have an opinion I am mulling things over. Thanks all.
John
Largo, FL
( 70 degrees and sunny) _________________ Johnny Hawk
Largo, FL
Necoa #: 6858
Location: 7(AL,GA,TN)
Joined: Feb 07, 2006
Posts: 937
Year: 1970
Model: El Camino
Posted: Fri Feb 15, 2008 10:21 pm Post subject: cam
With the motor oil issues, I would seriously think about changing over to a roller set up. I know it's pricey but the advantages are huge. _________________ Jim
70 ElCamino 461 solid M20 331eaton
http://elcaminocentral.com/gallery-album_album346.html
Necoa #: 1971
Location: 8(OH,WV)
Joined: Dec 13, 2003
Posts: 334
Year: 1977
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sat Feb 16, 2008 12:24 am Post subject:
You're doing a nice rebuild, .40 over will leave very little drag, great heads, great carb, lots of fuel pumping: Why not breath it well.
I used a 3/4 race Crane cam with roller lifters, roller rockers and cam gears (no timing chain to get sloppy). VERY well worth the money. I've got about 40,000 miles on it after the rebuild, still starts and runs like the first day.
Necoa #: 7482
Location: 14(AR,LA,MS)
Joined: May 13, 2006
Posts: 265
Year: 1978
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sat Feb 23, 2008 6:22 pm Post subject:
You won't be satisfied until you stroke it _________________ 385 stroker, brodix, weiand super charger,
6' in rods, predator roller cam, duration 238 int
246 exh, lift 576 int / 592 exh, jackson gear
drive, compcams roller rockers 1.6, afterburner
headers, 3' in exhaust with x-pipe, 700r4 trans
while i havent had problems in the past just changing cam and lifter and nothing else, i dont recommend it. i highly recommend changing valve springs to the ones the cam manufacturer recommends. you dont need roller rockers though as the stock rockers are good enough. _________________ 64 falcon
66 mustang
76 el camino
a mans fate is a mans fate
and life is but an illusion
I'm not sure if your still working on this, but here's some info on the Comp Cams option I chose:
Summit Link Spec Sheet
It's a nice street/strip cam, and you won't have to change your stock valve springs. The rule of thumb I was told is: keep the Cam lift under 1/2" and you shouldn't have to use heavier springs or screw-in studs. Over 1/2" is when you start putting more strain on the heads and valves and will need to beef them up. There may be more to it than that, but that's what I went by and I am very happy with my engines performance.
When I was a kid (in the 70's) I had a shirt that said
"Injection is nice, but I'd rather be blown"
I knew it was a cool shirt 'cause Mom didn't like it _________________
1981 Chevy El Camino
1991 Chevy S10
"The only thing collecting dust in my garage... is my broom"
Necoa #: 499
Location: 19(AK,ID,OR,WA)
Joined: Jan 09, 2003
Posts: 314
Year: 1985
Model: El Camino
Posted: Sat Apr 26, 2008 12:09 am Post subject:
when you say heads refreshed, does include some port work? Stock heads are going to crap out at 4500rpm.
If you're going to a roller, which is a good choice, the ZZ4 cam is an inexpensive option.
You might as well freshen the valve springs up, and .550 lift springs aren't that expensive. _________________ 1985 El Camino Conquista 13.7 @ 99mph with 87octane
I have the bracket master 2 cam 00016 from lunati. I bought the appropriate valve springs from my local machine shop. I paid 35 bucks for the springs I can get you a part number if you'd like. I buddy on mine did the springs in about a hour and a half. I have a 350 with this stuff in it. I have a weind action performer intake. I also have an edelbrock 650 on my motor I haven't driven it yet do to needing to finish the exhaust and other little things on my car but I've only read good things about this cam.
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while i havent had problems in the past just changing cam and lifter and nothing else, i dont recommend it. i highly recommend changing valve springs to the ones the cam manufacturer recommends. you dont need roller rockers though as the stock rockers are good enough.
