Admittedly, I've been out of the loop lately on scoping out what's good and what's bad concerning 455 camshafts. Currently, my 69 H/O has the stock 50 year old cam, 400165 with it's 472 lift and all. Well, everything is stock, I suppose. It's a smooth idling cam for a 455, but I was thinking there has to be better cams out there that could make a tad more pull on mid-range to the upper end. I don't envision running 12 second passes with it, but something fully streetable and would compliment the 3.91 gears. Low end grunt is not an issue.

Just seeking some opinions. Maybe a dual pattern cam with about .500 lift thereabouts to let it breathe just a bit better? About 200,000,000 years ago when fire was a new thing, I used to run a Sig Erson dual pattern in my old 69 442 4-speed with 3.91, and it pulled strong on the upper end but it was a long stroke 400, with the addition of headers and intake/carb. I don't even recall the specs on it. I'm guessing the 455 will act differently especially with a TH400.

Erson does have an E540222 with 504/504 286/296 (220/280 @ .050). Is it worth it or anyone suggest something else? Don't mind putting a bit more stall to the converter if need be, but I'd like to keep from having to put on headers, intake and carb. I want to keep all the stock stuff on the outside. Am I asking too much? The 504 doesn't seem to too radical, I don't think. I did a search, but you know how that usually ends up.

Also, concerning the carb, I have the 7029251 carb, stock as a rock. Would perhaps think I need to go up on the secondary rods a bit? AX perhaps?

I know there is a lot of opinions on anything like this, but just wondering if it's worth trying to mix and match secondary rods or just leave the old cam alone.

 

You might want to go up one size on primary jets and AX rods. Shorten the accelerator pump 1/8". Do you have A/C ?

 

No A/C. PS and Power Disc brakes. Assuming stock jetting, I should have .070 primaries, so moving to .071 perhaps with a shaved accel pump?

 

You might want to contact John at Rocket Racing and Performance. John is a Guru of Oldsmobile engines he would be able to help you out. His number is 262-706-3277

 

Contact Mark on this site (cutlassefi), very knowledgeable with cams, and is an Erson and Lunati rep.

 

If I read correctly, you have PS and PB's You are going to be limited in what you do because you need vacuum for your brakes the bigger the cam the less vacuum you will have, or add a vacuum pump. Also you may need to go with different valve springs. Like I said, talk to someone that knows what they are doing before you make a decision.

 

Yep. That's why I was wanting to limit the cam size to something that wouldn't totally ruin the PB. It still needs to be fully streetable. Otherwise, if there's not too much in way of options, I'll just leave it stock. I just know that the stock cam isn't the best choice in the world, and engineering advancements in cam design have come a long way.

Thanks for the responses and advice. I'll see what Mark recommends as well, or anyone else for that matter. All ideas are welcome.

 

Sent you a pm. Thanks.

 

I have an Engle 20/22 cam on a 110 degree LSA.

Noticeable idle and 14 inches of vacuum.

 

What are your thoughts Cutlassefi I'm a big fan of the Lunati Cams ( have one in my 65) I also have a 69 H/O can you share you expertise? Thanks

 

Try different counterweight springs in your distributor. Adjust your secondary air valve (air door). You want it about 1/8 turn CW from "bog". Do the little things first.