Cam advice for a mild 327

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Walter R. Malik
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by Walter R. Malik »

AmericanPie wrote: Sat Sep 19, 2020 7:59 pm 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!
That H-272 cam grind was Crane's go to, "middle of the road" camshaft for a lot of years. It did everything OK and some things well but, never great.
It worked well with Chevy's "service pack" springs which fit right in place of the stock production springs; (probably the most copied spring in existence). That alone is what made it a desirable part.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by pdq67 »

Might go with a good old CC 268HE cam here.

I figure that you will really like it.

pdq67
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by engineguyBill »

AmericanPie,
Welcome to the forum. Of the three cams you have listed, I would go with the Isky cam. The cam is not going to make a huge difference performance-wise in a big car with mostly stock engine and powerglide. I would highly recommend that you install new lifters, springs and valve locks when you make the cam change AND inspect the valve stems very closely.
Although there have been ownership changes in the camshaft industry, most of the pioneering companies such as Isky, Erson, Crane, Comp, Crower, etc., etc. are still very good companies. Most camshaft failures can be traced back to incorrect installation and this problem has gotten worst due to the elimination (or reduction) of certain additives in modern motor oil. Follow break-in procedures to the letter and use break-in oil when installing a new cam.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by Geoff2 »

It is not the oil, never has been. Oil companies saw an 'opportunity' & exploited it.
In Australia, we have for DECADES re-faced lifters because of the high cost of new lifters. Around 2000, I had brand name solid lifters fail. Same oil used. Prior to this, not a failure in 25 yrs. The lifters were soft &/or had wrong radius, or ground off centre. The machinist I use to re-face my lifters told me that he was finding this was a common problem with the current crop of new lifters & recommended any new lifters be re-faced to be on the safe side. Of course, this is isn't much help if the metallurgy is poor [ soft metal ]. I now only use factory lifters or aftermarket lifters that are 25+ yrs old, & have them re-faced. Good as new, no failures.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by pdq67 »

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

If this is so, then I would go with re-faced stellite footed lifters if I can find them?

pdq67
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by Geoff2 »

pdq,

Even these need re-facing according to the bloke I use. The hardness is ok, radius is not.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by AmericanPie »

Thanks for all your great advice guys.
I did inquire with CamKing and here’s the recommendation he gave me:

Cam# SBCH, H65295-66299-110
204/208 @.050"
.295"/.299" Lobe Lift
.442"/.448" Valve Lift
110 LSA

It's pretty similar to the Crane 260 and Isky 262/270, but with a 110 LSA and a bit more lift. Looks like it would have plenty of low end, which is most important. Whichever cam I buy will probably have specs very similar to this. As I said in my OP all I'm looking for is a mild upgrade over stock. I've even thought about just using the stock -929 cam, but with 1.6 roller tip rockers. But a combo of a good aftermarket cam with a matched kit and 1.6 Magnum (or similar) rockers is probably the way I'll go. I'll also look into the "Cam Saver" lifters (made by Crower?).
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by PackardV8 »

AmericanPie wrote: Tue Sep 29, 2020 12:28 am Thanks for all your great advice guys.
I've even thought about just using the stock -929 cam, but with 1.6 roller tip rockers. But a combo of a good aftermarket cam with a matched kit and 1.6 Magnum (or similar) rockers is probably the way I'll go. I'll also look into the "Cam Saver" lifters (made by Crower?).
With the mild spring pressures and street use, there's no benefit to roller tip rockers and several negatives.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by pdq67 »

How's the single pattern Crane 266/210 cam fit in here?

I think it is on 110/105, but might be off?

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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by pdq67 »

Geoff2 wrote: Mon Sep 28, 2020 4:54 am pdq,

Even these need re-facing according to the bloke I use. The hardness is ok, radius is not.
I said, "re-faced", stellite footed lifters.

pdq67
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by Geoff2 »

Yes, pdq, the stellite foot lifters were what I was referring too.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by pdq67 »

You know, I was just thinking about this and just maybe all you need is the GREAT old, "Performer", cam, the old generic one!! The, "white box", cam...

Spec'd at 204/214, .420"/.442" or so, 112/108(?).

It is a step up from the GREAT old STOCK, -929 cam at 195/203, .390"/.410" or so?

And the old -929 cam was installed stock in the old, '67, L48, 295hp/350SS engine

A Performer cam should be dirt cheap!!

As always, imho...

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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by lefty o »

seriously, use something designed and ground in this century, better yet in the last decade.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by AmericanPie »

pdq67 wrote: Wed Sep 30, 2020 12:51 pm You know, I was just thinking about this and just maybe all you need is the GREAT old, "Performer", cam, the old generic one!! The, "white box", cam...

Spec'd at 204/214, .420"/.442" or so, 112/108(?).

It is a step up from the GREAT old STOCK, -929 cam at 195/203, .390"/.410" or so?

And the old -929 cam was installed stock in the old, '67, L48, 295hp/350SS engine

A Performer cam should be dirt cheap!!

As always, imho...

pdq67
Yes, I've looked at that Edelbrock cam too and I think it would be another good choice. Very similar to the Crane 260 but with a little less lift and exhaust duration. Almost any one of these mild cams would serve my purposes.
No doubt the -929 cam was a great design; it was used in small blocks from the late 1950s to the mid 1970s on everything from 283/2 bbls to 350/4 bbls and was only replaced due to changing emissions laws.
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Re: Cam advice for a mild 327

Post by Bob Hollinshead »

My Son runs comp's 268XEsolid in his 10-1 331 and it has plenty of torque down low, intake duration is 230*@.050", idles decent at 700rpm and has been in use for 13 years. Pulls strong to 6500 with ported heads and airgap intake. I don't think I'd pick anything smaller. He did add LS beehive springs and the small comp 787 retainers this spring and it really liked that.
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