milehigh

ok, so Im not an expert at this engine stuff and the more I read the worse I get and will be the first to tell you so. With that being said, I have a shortblock 455 .030 over with l2323f pistons sitting somewhere around .024 in the hole. Ive had it for about 15 years and have decided to build it and swap it into a 67 cutlass that Im also converting to a 4 speed. I know I also need to check for the .004 skirt clearance on these? From 373 to 410 gears, or your choice. I want to take this car once in a blue moon when my lips are quivering for a burnout at buddies house a few miles away and lay a patch a mile long (what are friends for) come home and wait until I need another fix but if I wanted to take it across town, I dont want a complete headache but it wont happen but once a month maybe. Ok, I know to zero deck it got some head gaskets years ago ROL Xtreme that are .045 thick. Called an Olds guy for a cam and got a 544 lift 244@ 50 duration lunati cam #10420906 sent to me. Ok now, I called machine shop and they said wtf... a 225 to 234 at the most would work better or best with a split pattern. I also told him I wanted at least 10.1:1 if not 10.5:1 compression. He balked at that also said it was too much and I would need to mix e85. Am I out of line by either telling the olds guru he is nuts or do I need a different machinist? Im in Denver so a mile high and rare air up here and yes know Id neeed a canister for power brakes but what about that combination? Too nasty or just right? Also I know I would need to mill the heads from 77ccs but there is no table for these heads other than to take a cut then measure (that was edelbrocks answer). Does anyone have an answer to how much I should take off if I want 72ccs if that's what your advising me to get to or ?? I know as you get deeper into the cut it takes more ccs. Any help is appreciated and happy motoring. Thinking to much at a Milehigh will give you a headache...

Creativeindy

If it's any comparison I have a 292 in my car right now. It idles like **** because I am driving it without a stall but I do have it drivable. Honestly it's waaaay to much cam for my engine but then again my engine is stock. Point here is, if my stock engine runs and has a ton of power with a 292 lunati cam I wonder why the feel the 244 is too much. The cam they suggested 225 is what I am SWAPPING my 292 out with this weekend. It's 2 steps over stock cam profile. According to lunati a 225 cam will give just a hair choppy idle and will run similar to stock or RV cam. Someone else may know more but after my research on my current cam and the headache of figuring out what to go with and phone alls this is what I came up with for myself. Just my .02

cutlassefi

Even in Denver 10.5:1 with iron heads is marginal. You do have iron heads right? That part was unclear.
And yes 244@.050 even with 10.5:1 is a little stiff, you'll need a 3000+ stall and a good gear.

I'd shot for something in the 230@.050 range as mentioned but a split pattern isn't needed as much at that altitude. I'd keep it short, it'll help the low end by retaining cylinder pressure.
And normally .006 off the heads is about 1cc.
Let me know if I can help further.
Thanks

milehigh

Im going to be running edebrocks which I understandare 77ccs so at 0 deck with that .045 squish for gaskets and mill to 72ccs, I was wondering if I was close to ? compression ratio.. Ill also be running a 4 speed ..Would you have a cam in mind or take a stab at a good street/strip cam around that 230@ 50 that would be a good fit? Lift? or does it matter? Thank you..

cutlassefi

I would grind you a 232/236@.050 with .568 lift for those heads.
I'd shoot for about 10.5:1 then with the edelbrocks, yes about 72cc on the heads but with a .040 head gasket.
That combo would work great with a Performer intake and an 800 or better carb.

real57vetteguy

/\ /\ /\ /\
Im a BIG fan of his cams!

DeltaPace77

Think it really depends on the whole package. My 455 has head work, and TRW forged pistons, for 10.25 compression. Cam is a dual pattern Crane H-238. Lift is .536 intake/.560 exaust. Duration at .050 is 238 intake/248 exhaust. Ordered the cam with 114 LSA for less overlap, than the catalog 110 LSA. Crane Hi Intensity lifters, that bleed down a bit at low rpms, and MSD multi spark ignition. Car actually idles pretty decent feeding a 700R4 tranny, and 3.73 rear axle. Keep in mind, the 700R4 has a 3.05 1st and 0.70 od lock up 4th. Thing really runs, and cruises the highway, like a 2.56 axle. Car runs fine on fresh 93 octane, but usually mix in 5 gallons of 100 octane racing fuel, to be sure.