Hey guys,
I am new to the oldsmobile motor. I have engine experience as I have just built a SBC. I have a few questions regarding cam swaps in a 330.

1. What are the factory specs on the 330/290 horse motor.

2. Do all SBO cams fit in a small block? On chevys the 283-400ci can use the same cam (im not saying I would run a 283 cam in a 400). Could I buy a cam designed for a 350 olds and use it in a 330 olds.

3. What is the max lift I can run on the factory valve train. What are the limiting factors?

4. Do the heads on the 330ci/290hp engines flow well enough that a mild 225/235 @.050 duration cam would benifit?

5. I have read that the rockers are a different style in 1964. I'm not sure if that is good or bad. I do not plan on running the car over 5500 RPMs.

Thanks for the info!

James

 

Rocker ratio is 1.6:1. What other specs would you like?

All late (260, 307, 330, 350, 400, 403, 425, and 455) V8 cams will physically interchange. One possible exception, is the "roller cammed" 307.

Like many of the less knowledgeable (read slower) Chev guys, you could.

However, in the Olds community, we would rather choose a cam that actually fits the application.

Your 330 has a 45° lifter angle instead of the common 39°. You will have to order your cam accordingly.

.584 is the highest I've gone.

The slots in the rockers.

All 64s used the same #1 heads. Compression differences came from different piston dishes.

If you keep the lift under .5" it will work fine.

If they are in good shape, use them.

Norm

 

Norm,
Thanks for the info. The cam specs I was looking for was the lift, LCA, and duration of the factory cam. On the heads of my chevy the max lift was limited by the retainer to valve stem seal clearance. That was the type of limiting factor I was loking for.

When you say #1 heads, Is there a casting number on there that says #1 or is that the last number in a series of numbers or what?

Did you have to do any modifications to your heads in order to run .584 lift?

Are there any books I can buy that will give me information about these engines? I looked on barns and noble.com but I could not find much.

THanks again for the information!!!

 

64 330 and all 65-later Olds V8 heads have a letter (big block) or number (small block) at the bottom left of the head. 1964 330 heads are all 1. 1964 330s thru July 1964 had rocker shafts like the Olds 303-394 and Mopars. Production after that date had bridge and pedestal rockers like the 65-later Olds-design engine, and I've heard some of those may be designated 2. Those engines can be identified with an M suffix in the engine serial number, located on the front of the RH head (similar to Chev). Olds rockers are not adjustable like Chevy, though there are some aftermarket kits.

442.com has a FAQ section that gives some cam spec info, but it's not complete. Normally I take their info with a grain of salt, but Karl Sarpolis compiled the cam info and he is very thorough and knowledgeable, so I believe what's there to be accurate.

 

No.

You asked about the stock valvetrain. With adjustable rockers, .700" would be a reasonable guess.

Norm

 

James,
Two places you can look for more information on Olds engines is check out the book listed under the Announcement catagory at the top of the page. About the third message down is a thread taking about a performace Olds book being reprinted with updates. I bought one and am enjoying the information it has. The other place is a web site called 442.com and click on the FAQ section. Some guys have commented about errors in this, but I've felt good about the details that I've looked up. You can always compare the information between the two, the book and the web site. John

 

Thanks for the info. The 442 website is very helpful! I think I am going to look into getting that oldsmobile engine book.

 

Did you ever find a cam that works with your stock valvetrain?