I understand a BBO cam will physically fit in a SBO. Is this right? Would it have the same lobe grind as the small block cam? Would a 455 cam make better power in a 307?

The deal is I have a 455 sitting on the shelf waiting to be built for my Cutlass. I also have a 307 sitting on my floor from a Caprice that runs good. I am planning on building a dune buggy for me and my kids to tool around in on my 40 acres (shhh don't tell my wife). Ofcourse the 307 will go in it because I have no desire to use it in anything else. I'm asking about the cam because I'm not puting the stock cam back in the 455. And who doesn't want more power from thier small block? Besides that, I am on vacation and I'm board.

 

it would physically work. But, I've heard vin 9 cars(442's) got basically a 455 cam and they really had about 10-20 hp more than regular 307's, plus the fact that they had other mods too. Also, is your 307 pre 86? 85 and earlier cars got flat tappets(.842 lifter bore), 86 and later got roller lifters(.921 lifter bore), so you'd have to get .921 flat tappet lifters if it's a post 85 block. (AKA, not worth it.)
You could get some #4 heads and throw the 455 cam in too, then you'll have more compression to make power with, but you'll have horrable quench. You'll see there isn't much you can do to a 307 to make useable power.

 

All Olds cams ground on a 39 degree lifter bank angle will interchange (excepting, of course, roller cams). The suitability of a "455" cam in a smaller motor will depend on the particular cam grind in question and the amount of work already done to the smaller motor.

 

Hmm.... The 307 is from an 88 Caprice wagon and does have the 7A heads. However it is a reman. The local reman company was a little shady (one reason they are not in business anymore) with thier work. So it probably has flat lifters, though I haven't checked. I also have a set of 5A heads I am thinking of puting on it. Will they give more power with the 455 cam?

Also, off subject, if I port those 5A heads and put bigger valves in, will they work on my 455?

Oh Yeah, the 455 is from a 71 Olds 98 if that helps with figuring out the cam grind. And as far as the 307 goes, as I said, it is a reman so it may be bored but the rest is probably stock.

 

88 307s with 7A heads are roller cam motors.

 

I realize that. What I'm saying is, if flat, hydro lifters can be put in it and are generally cheaper than roller lifters, then that is probably what they did. I am going to take the intake off tonight and see what's in it. I may be speculating too much and making myself look dumb.

 

They can be put in the hole, but they won't work. Too much "clearance". Flat tappets are .842" in diameter and rollers are .921"

Cheap way would be to re-use the rollers. Odds are, no one would ever know the difference.

Nothing to do with "looking dumb". Everything to do with learning, whatever you can, whenever you can.

You are a lot farther ahead, of the game, than those who are answering the same questions they should be asking.

Norm

 

Yep...I was right. I was speculating too much. The 307 does have roller cam in it. This opens up a whole new can of worms.

One thing I noticed though. The pushrods aren't in line with the lifters and a couple of them look to be bent. Wouldn't the spring pressure and cylinder pressure cause damage to the lifters and lifter bores in this situation? Shouldn't they be lined up pretty close to perfect?

 

While 0.921" flat tapper lifters are available for Olds motors, the real problem is that most roller cams take advantage of the rollers and have steeper ramps on the lobes. Using a flat lifter on a roller cam is asking to wipe the cam.