anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

Im building a 350 for my '68 C10. Nothing crazy, shootin' for good dependable motor.
Engine specs:
Bore________4.06" (0.060" over)
Stroke_______3.48" (stock)
Quench _____.037" (±.003)
Compression__9.25:1 (±)
Speed Pro flat top pistons with 4 valve reliefs (-6cc)
Heads are 76cc "493" castings with 1.94" valves that have been moderately ported ( I probably made them slower ;) )
transmission will be Th400, not sure which torque converter it will have, but it will be mild.
I will build a Quadra-Jet M4M for it and mount it on a factory high-rise cast iron manifold. I'm keeping the points ignition.
The truck weighs 4100lbs, with me in it.
I want to focus on dependability and drivability, but I defiantly want it to pull as strong as possible.
Any Cam gurus here wanna help me out?
Thanks,
-Russ

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

I would suggest a Comp cams XE-262, if you are running a flat tappet hydraulic. I ran an XE-268 in my 383 (Edelbrock top). The cam had a hint of lope @ idle, & pulled from the bottom! That 383 was a 1/4 inch longer on stroke than the the 355, & you will hear it more in the shorter stroke engine. If not going loose on the converter, I think you will be happy with a slightly smaller camshaft.;) Longhorn:chevy:

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

What rear gear are you running?

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

Probably too far into this build...but I would have started with a roller cam Vortec engine and retain the stock heads....

Yo would get roller cam and lifters, one piece rear seal, better flowing heads, and a standard GM cam will work very well.....

Just my 2 cents worth...

:chevy::chevy::chevy:

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

Duration @ 0.050": 218° / 224°
Lobe Separation: 110°
Max Lift w/ 1.5RR: .462" / .469"
Seems like a lot of cam for what I'm building

3.73:1 with 29" tall tires ... However I might regear at some point, maybe 4.42s. Just going to play it by ear.

All valid, but I'm aiming for a solid, old school, budget 350 for my 53 year old pickup. It don't need no new-fangled vortec motor. It was born with a first gen small block, that's what I'm putting back in it.

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

If it were me I would go with the 268 for the lope etc but the 262 at the end of the day is the best choice between the 2.

The difference between the 3.73 and 3.42 (assuming that is what you meant)
is not enough to warrant a gear change.

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

Agreed. However, If I'm already in there installing a TrueTrac, a gear set won't be a whole bunch more money and is the same amount of work. That's for a later date .

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

I guess that I should have asked about you usage on the truck? Is it a cruiser, or hauler? Gear ratio & tire size does also make a difference. The HE-268 was the biggest cam reccomended to run with a stock converter......however, it liked 24-2500 stall! I have heard clips of both cams in a 355, & will say that you can probably deal with a 21-2200 converter with the 262 camshaft. I ran an old crane cam in a 327+ .040....the cam was .216/.216 @ .o50. Slight lope at idle (more heard with open corks). This was a stick shift truck, & pulled from the bottom.;) As you step up in cubes (you will be around 360, with the bore), you will find that the response will be better in the bigger engine. You will also find that the modern cam profiles, will blow the old chit out of the water! The stock GM heads need a little help on the ex side....A little more duration @ .050, & maybe a little more lift @ the valve. The ramps are quick on the XE cams, & will show you more. You can also look into Lunati cams, for another source. I am off my soap box......let the rest of the guys play;) Longhorn:smoke:

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

I've been asking around and getting a lot of conflicting information. Just to clarify which direction I'm leaning.
I'm thinking about intake duration @ 50 somewhere between 194°-212°
If shorter duration on intake ...a bit longer on exhaust ...I think?
Not sure on lift
Somebody very knowledgeable suggested a 194/204 cam with 1:6 rocker arms.
I just want a sweet running engine with plenty of power.I don't want to think about octane, or ambient temperature, or elevation. I just want to jump in and drive. I want to be able to drive 500 miles cross country or an hour in traffic on a hot summer day. If I can beat most grocery getters when the light turns green, Bonus.

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

XE-262 as stated above. Honestly anything as big as a stock muscle car cam would meet your desires. The 262 will be a little bigger than a Rv cam but still smaller than a muscle car. I didn't notice any power loss coming off the clutch with the bigger 268 cam so I think either way you would be happy. Running an auto I might consider the larger cam. Personally I wouldn't bother with a cam below 200* since it it pretty much a stocker.

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

What he burnin oil said.....That camshaft ,under or about .200 @ .050, is a stock camshaft. I always opted for the smaller cam.....but will say that a step up, may have been better;)If you are running 3.42/3.73 gears, on a 28, or 29 inch tire, 400 T, with around 2200/2400 on the stall.....I would also go for the bigger (xe-268 cam) . If you plan to tow/haul.... the 262 is for you.....you damn sure dont want that stock camshaft! Burnin oil, & this old crazy man do not disagree;) Trust me on that! Let them ponies run! Longhorn:chevy:

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

After careful deliberation I am going with an Elgin E923P

Cam Specifications:
Valve Lift (INT/EXH): .421"/.444" 1.5 Ratio
Duration @ .050" (INT/EXH): 204°/214°
Adv. Duration (INT/EXH): 278°/288°
Lobe Seperation 112°
Lobe Centerline (INT/EXH): 107°/117°

After a lot of reading, this looks like it will suit my build and intended usage. Should match my 9.25:1 350 with stock manifolds nicely. Also, I just happen to have one setting on my shelf.
My intake actually degreed @108°, manufacturer tolerances? operator error? Whatever, close enough, Just gonna send it.
After this go-around, I know a little more about selecting cams.

Thanks for all the input!
-Russ

Re: anyone wanna help me pick a cam?
 

My 283 has a cam with those same specs (but for having .422 on the intake lift). It's called a Melling MTC-1 and it lopes a bit when the motor is cold and is barely perceptible when warmed up. It moves right along too. (Especially in the mid-range, but 283's are like that by nature I think anyhow)