Cam Advice- 400 E block .030 over flat tops
September 17th, 2014, 04:15 PM
#1
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: San Jose, CA
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Cam Advice- 400 E block .030 over flat tops
I've been trying to work with an old cam I had in storage….I'm gonna cut my losses and use a new "known" cam.
I"m looking for a smooth idle, close to stock cam. An increase in off the line torque would be great. I know it sounds boring yet I live in Silicon Valley…no reason to hop it up.
It's got "350" standard bore flat top pistons (If memory serves that means it's .030 over bore on a 400), stock 442 quadra jet, T400 and freeway gears (may change these in future). Stock exhaust manifolds.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
I"m looking for a smooth idle, close to stock cam. An increase in off the line torque would be great. I know it sounds boring yet I live in Silicon Valley…no reason to hop it up.
It's got "350" standard bore flat top pistons (If memory serves that means it's .030 over bore on a 400), stock 442 quadra jet, T400 and freeway gears (may change these in future). Stock exhaust manifolds.
Any ideas would be much appreciated.
Thanks,
Mike
September 17th, 2014, 04:26 PM
#2
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Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Phoenix, AZ
Posts: 13,760
Depending upon the head combustion chamber volume and the piston-to-deck clearance, your engine could have anywhere from 9.5:1 to 10.5:1 compression ratio. That may make a big difference on cam selection.
September 17th, 2014, 10:23 PM
#4
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Location: San Jose, CA
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Any chance you can help me "guess" on compression. I measured a .036 piston to deck clearance. No head work done other than machine shop doing a quick clean of the gasket surface (head to block). No bowl work.
Thanks
Thanks
Actually, that's a .057" overbore as the 400E standard bore diameter is 4.000".
Depending upon the head combustion chamber volume and the piston-to-deck clearance, your engine could have anywhere from 9.5:1 to 10.5:1 compression ratio. That may make a big difference on cam selection.
Depending upon the head combustion chamber volume and the piston-to-deck clearance, your engine could have anywhere from 9.5:1 to 10.5:1 compression ratio. That may make a big difference on cam selection.
September 17th, 2014, 11:28 PM
#5
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Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: Connecticut
Posts: 896
The almighty 400 E block. Man I love that motor!!! Good luck and cutlassefi is most knowledgeable on cams and grinds regarding your specific needs and application. He can even custom grind one for you. Good Luck, and .921 lifters are becoming harder and harder to find.
September 18th, 2014, 04:01 AM
#6
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Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Central Fl
Posts: 7,828
Based on those specs and a standard .040 thick head gasket you're right at about 9.0:1-9.25:1. You might think about getting the shim head gaskets from Smitty. That'll pick up a couple of tenths of compression.
Verify your lifter status, .842 or .921, and I can get you the cam and lifters you need if you like. Thanks!
September 18th, 2014, 12:26 PM
#7
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Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: San Jose, CA
Posts: 315
Thanks for your guidance- I hear you are the master of camshafts….I'm pretty sure I need to replace cam/lifters in order to do this one right (just need to hide the expense from my better half!). Can you pm your contact information.
Thanks
Mike
Thanks
Mike
Based on those specs and a standard .040 thick head gasket you're right at about 9.0:1-9.25:1. You might think about getting the shim head gaskets from Smitty. That'll pick up a couple of tenths of compression.
Verify your lifter status, .842 or .921, and I can get you the cam and lifters you need if you like. Thanks!
Verify your lifter status, .842 or .921, and I can get you the cam and lifters you need if you like. Thanks!
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