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Hi, I am wondering if anyone here with knowledge of camshafts for 371 engines can help me make the right choice. The engine which the camshaft will be installed will be completely rebuilt.I have two different camshafts.One is an ISKENDERIAN marked B2 0856 282 HYD.
The other is an ALMQUIST ENGINEERING 3/4 RACE CAM. The only marking on the ALMQUIST camshaft is a letter "D" and the number "2". On the box it is written (by hand) OLDS J2 ".
I wonder if any of these will work smoothly in a 371 engine with J2 carburetor kit. My idea is that the engine should look like a J-2R code engine including batwing aircleaner and valve covers with the dimples.There will be no solid lifters, I want to drive with hydraulic lifters. My question is, can any of these camshafts work fine for normal driving?
Thanks
The "371" you are referring to were 1957-58. Common terminology "back in the day" (1950-60's) referred to "stock. 3/4 Race and Full race cams.
The "Isky" (Iskendarian) appears to be a 282 degree hydraulic lifter cam, for use with hydraulic lifters.
The other cam (Almquist Engineering) is unfamiliar to me. There is mo way to know if its for use with hydraulic or solid lifters. Others may chime in with more information..
Define "work smoothly in a 371 engine". I would say that a 282 degree (duration) cam was on the racier side back in those days. It should work fine. However, we don't know what the valve lift would be. You'll need to partially assemble to check push rod length with hydraulic lifters. There is a chance you may need adjustable rocker arms for your application.
The valve covers with the dimples were made to clear the adjustable rocker arm adjusters for the solid lifter cams. My memory seems to tell me the "J-2R" used a solid lifter Race cam.
You may want to call "Hunter" at CamCraft Cams (828) 681-5183.
Thank´s for your replyDefine "work smoothly in a 371 engine":I mean I want an engine that runs like an J2 original (or a little better ) with good idle and good vaccum. I do not want a rough idle.
Looking through my old Isky catalog it loos like all of their 282 cams are described as having a "lopey" idle and requiring performance upgrades like headers etc. If you are looking for a stock type idle I would say that is not the cam you want to use. You can call them to be sure but I think that is what the answer will be.
BillK is correct, Isky should be able to answer questions about their cams. 282 degrees duration was more radical than "stock" back in those days. Valve lift was probably under .400". The J-2 cam was probably not much different than any other 1957-58 "371" cam.
The reason I mentioned CamCraft Cams was because there is a guy on this site (JPL67) that rebuilt his father's 57 Olds J-2 with a cam from CamCraft Cams. While the duration could be the same as the old cams, the opening and closing ramps are "faster". You may want to check with him (JPL67) about vacuum and smooth idle.
July 10th, 2022, 02:24 PM
) with good idle and good vaccum. I do not want a rough idle.
