Cam advice for a mild 327

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AmericanPie
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Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by AmericanPie »

Hi guys, I’m new to the forum and could use some advice about the best cam for my long-term “keeper” car, a ‘65 Impala SS with its original 327/300HP engine, Powerglide and 3.31 rear end. I realize the Powerglide will be limiting my cam choices, but it will be staying in the car.

I plan to finally rebuild the engine soon and all I want to do is make a few basic performance upgrades while I’ve got the engine apart. The stock cam peters out at 4800 rpm and I’d like to give the engine just a bit more personality without losing too much on the low-end.

The engine will be built to mostly stock specs, using upgraded components such as rods, pistons, valves, etc. Static CR with flat tops will be about 9.5:1, with its 64cc double-hump (-461) heads. Carb is an AFB (about 600 cfm, I think).

This cam is sitting in my garage and was recommended to me by a Crane tech years ago. However, I’m concerned it might have a bit too much duration and overlap for my application (3800 lb. car, 327, and that Powerglide):
Crane H-272-2 (216/228, .454”/.480”, 112 LSA, 54* overlap)

After consulting with several cam companies these are a few others I have in mind (I like Crane and Isky cams with fairly conservative lobes):
Crane H-260-2 (204/216, .427”/.454”, 112 LSA, 42* overlap)
Isky 262/270 (208/216, .435”/. 445”, 112 LSA, 42* overlap)
Crane H-266-2 (210/216, .440”/.454” , 114 LSA, 41* overlap)

I know the “safe” choice would be one of the milder cams. But the H-272-2 was suggested because it's supposed to pull slightly harder to about 5500 rpm yet still have plenty of low-end torque. The H-266-2 is somewhere in the middle: good low and midrange torque and able to pull to about 5300.

I'd appreciate any suggestions on a final cam selection. Thanks!
Pete1
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by Pete1 »

If you ask your question to 6 different guys, including me, you will get 10 different answers.
Why not ask the guy that runs this forum?? He is as good as any around and it would help support the forum.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by Baprace »

American Pie, welcome to the site, the first thing I would do is install screw in studs, 2nd your stock rockers are limited to .450 lift, you will need to have the guides shortened or at least checked for the valve lift, if I had to choose from your list I would choose the ISKY 262 1st, or the Crane 266 2nd , based on 3 things 327 ci powerglide & 3.31 gears. I also agree with Pete1
AmericanPie
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by AmericanPie »

Pete1 wrote: Sat Sep 19, 2020 9:03 pm If you ask your question to 6 different guys, including me, you will get 10 different answers.
Why not ask the guy that runs this forum?? He is as good as any around and it would help support the forum.
That's true about answers (i.e., opinions). I assume you're referring to CamKing. I'll get in contact with him.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by lefty o »

i agree with asking the camking, but id be looking for 215-220degr. likely none of the ones you listed, but the crane suggested one is closest, but needs tweeking.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by chevyfreak »

AmericanPie wrote: Sat Sep 19, 2020 7:59 pm
Crane H-260-2 (204/216, .427”/.454”, 112 LSA, 42* overlap)
That cam is what i'm running in my 327 . Specs is very close to the original 300hp cam but has about 10deg more duration on int and exh. Gm cam is 194/204 if memory serves me correctly.

Idles good. Drives good and goes to 5000rpm. For a close to stock setup its a very nice cam.
I have 883 heads with 1.94 int and milled 080 to up the compression, with slight porting work done and intake cleaned up around the carb pad, Qjet carb, th350 and 2.92 rear gear. More a cruiser but it can smoke up n tyre and perform fairly good . Give very good mpg. Likes adv timing. Pulls strong from down low with 26 deg static and mech limited to final 10deg, from testing on my setup, maybe worthwhile to test on yours.
Gonna build the same setup for my 67 impala wagon.

Same as others on checking with camking.

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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by bigmike »

Of the cams mentioned I would go with the Isky 262/270 (208/216, .435”/. 445”, 112 LSA, 42* overlap). I'am just not a fan of the 114 LC on any SBC myself. I would also use some new freash valve springs such as the isky recommended for that cam 205-D. Also use some cam saver type lifters.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by lefty o »

bigmike wrote: Sun Sep 20, 2020 4:41 am Of the cams mentioned I would go with the Isky 262/270 (208/216, .435”/. 445”, 112 LSA, 42* overlap). I'am just not a fan of the 114 LC on any SBC myself. I would also use some new freash valve springs such as the isky recommended for that cam 205-D. Also use some cam saver type lifters.
agree with you, 114 is just a joke, 112 is a poor compromise. 110 is a better compromise.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by AmericanPie »

I called Isky and they told me I could have their cam custom ground on a whatever LSA I like. In fact they even suggested having that 262/270 cam ground on a 110, for use with an automatic tranny. For that matter I think Crane (and some other cam companies) will do the same if you inquire about it.

Also, I've been out of this game for long while and there have been a lot of ownership/management changes in the industry since the last time I had to choose a cam. My impression is that both Isky and Crane still have reputations for manufacturing quality cams using good cores. Please tell me if I'm wrong.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by bigmike »

Crane is not the company it used to be sad to say I used a lot of their stuff back in the day. They filed for bankruptcy in 2009 but they were going down hill before this. At one point S&S cycle bought some of their stuff but it didn't end there. Turned into a mess from my understanding, investment group somehow got involved with crane. All I know Isky has so far always done right by me.

Hopefully the Camking will see your post and respond. He may have something you might like.

Powerglide transmission with 327 and highway gears in 3800 LBS+ cars are kind of a tough cookie as you know.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by PackardV8 »

bigmike wrote: Sun Sep 20, 2020 6:03 pm Powerglide transmission with 327 and highway gears in 3800 LBS+ cars are kind of a tough cookie as you know.
For true. I was there back in the day and if you had a 300hp 327", you were not top dog, but a bigger dog than most. Today, it has to stay in the slow lane and keep out of the way of the bullies driving Honda Civics.
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carzngunz
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by carzngunz »

I had an engine almost identical to yours about 30 years ago. Same heads, same 272 Crane cam, only I used a quadrajet carb. My car was set up different though, 79 camaro, 4 speed, 373 gears, street radials. The engine ran pretty good but always seemed to be missing something. Later I changed the cam to a Comp 268 single pattern on 110 lsa. I found what was missing. The engine ran better throughout the rpm range. I would definitely tighten up the lsa to at least 110 if not 109 and give some consideration to a single pattern cam.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by Geoff2 »

What Carz said.

Also, Crane is now owned by Comp Cams.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by PackardV8 »

A friend has a '65 327" 300hp, 40,000 mile engine and Powerglide, complete with PS and AC. Been stored in a sealed container for fifty-five years.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by Truckedup »

PackardV8 wrote: Mon Sep 21, 2020 8:59 pm A friend has a '65 327" 300hp, 40,000 mile engine and Powerglide, complete with PS and AC. Been stored in a sealed container for fifty-five years.
Why store it? 327/300 was arguably Chevy's best engine..
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