anyone wanna help me pick a cam?

[Greasey Harley]

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

[crazy longhorn]

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

[MySons68C20]

What rear gear are you running?

[AussieinNC]

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...

[Greasey Harley]

Originally Posted by crazy longhorn

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

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

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

What rear gear are you running?

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

Originally Posted by AussieinNC

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...

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.

[MySons68C20]

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.

[Greasey Harley]

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

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

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 .

[AcampoDave]

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)