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73-87 Chevy _ GMC Trucks => Performance => Topic started by: lukieg on February 01, 2012, 08:24:16 pm

Title: Camshaft selection?
Post by: lukieg on February 01, 2012, 08:24:16 pm
 Im replacing the cam in the 366.. Im trying to select a stock type cam for mileage and maybe a bit of a performance boost. Would a stock cam from a 454  or 427 passenger deck be a better street cam over stock? Thanks
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: lukieg on February 01, 2012, 09:16:04 pm
I cant seem to find the stock cam specs for the 366.. but im sure its very broom stick like.
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: lukieg on February 02, 2012, 04:09:23 pm
no  big block enthusiasts?
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: lukieg on February 03, 2012, 04:16:09 pm
 :( :'(
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: Engineer on February 03, 2012, 05:38:03 pm
An "RV" cam is probably what you are looking for. These are intended to help boost torque. However, the 366 was designed by GM to be a pulling/torque engine.
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: thirsty on February 03, 2012, 05:44:01 pm
An "RV" cam is probably what you are looking for. These are intended to help boost torque. However, the 366 was designed by GM to be a pulling/torque engine.
Will a RV cam for a 454 be the same? If there is not much info on the 366 would that be a good starting point for him?
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: TexasRed on February 03, 2012, 08:30:33 pm
I really don't know anything about that motor, but I'd call the big cam manufacturers and some of the smaller ones, Comp, Isky, speedpro, howards and see what they say.
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: Grim 82 on February 04, 2012, 01:41:35 am
Like mentioned, contact some cam manufacturers, or talk to a local engine builder. Big block or small block, cam selection depends on a whole lot of variables. Something with a little more lift than stock that comes in at a pretty low rpm will wake up a stock motor, if thats what you're looking for.
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: lukieg on February 04, 2012, 07:11:28 am
Im just going with  a stocky type cam from napa... thats all i have available to me currently.. from what i can tell.. the 366 is the same as all big blocks.. aside from spacers for the intake.. everything else will change over.
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: VileZambonie on February 04, 2012, 10:46:13 am
What year is your 366 and what did it come out of? What are you doing besides looking for a new cam? Any other mods? What heads are on it? What intake? What trans and final drive ratio?
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: lukieg on February 04, 2012, 05:29:28 pm
Im not sure the year.. its non egr.. is stock aside from headers and a holley 600, it came out of an old c70. Sorry the details are sketchy.. that stuff is a bit older then im used to
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: TexasRed on February 04, 2012, 06:49:42 pm
and if I remember correctly, it's a 700r4 and 3.08 final gear.
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: lukieg on February 05, 2012, 07:59:13 am
yes sirr.. thats correct 700r4 and 3.08s
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: VileZambonie on February 05, 2012, 10:47:45 am
So why are you changing the cam? Honestly unless you wiped a lobe or broke the cam I don't really see a reason to mess with it. If you're looking for more performance it'd be cheaper and more efficient to build a small block 350
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: lukieg on February 05, 2012, 12:37:34 pm
 It has a wiped cam lobe... and honestly.. i spank stock 350s with my stock 366 :D
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: VileZambonie on February 05, 2012, 03:27:31 pm
I'm sure you do but that wasn't what I was suggesting. If all you are doing is replacing the stock cam http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chevy-366-396-427-454-Pulling-Cam-Lifters-Kit-345HP-/190484499583?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&vxp=mtr&hash=item2c59c2cc7f something like that should work fine
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: lukieg on February 05, 2012, 10:02:52 pm
im going to be ordering it from the local napa.. only place i can manage to get to at the moment.. thats why im wondering what stock type part would suffice. Thanks for the fast responses:)
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: ralphhemi on February 08, 2012, 06:07:29 pm
What  I found on the web your cam. new had .234 lift . Napa use to list an   RV cam.   I would ask for one for a 402 or 400 big block 
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: lukieg on February 08, 2012, 07:00:48 pm
So a 400 or 402 cam will have a more performance oriented camshaft compared to a stock 454?? Im unable to find the cam specs on any engine aside from the 305/ 350 yadda..
Title: Re: Camshaft selection?
Post by: 85MudMonster on March 07, 2012, 04:51:37 pm
Resident Big Block Guy checking in.

I have a 402 punched .30 over in my truck from a 71 Chevelle. The "400" big Block is a 402. GM made the 402 starting in 1970, and in their Big body cars started calling it a "400", but kept the 396 badging on the smaller cars. A 366 is typically a Truck motor, it came in like older 1 tons and such. It has the smame deck height, and journal sizes as the 396, 402, 427, and 454. Be aware though that GM made a tall deck 427 that was used in their really big trucks like 2.5 tons and the like. I have a stock cam from a 402 sitting in my garage, you are better off with an aftermarket. Also, be sure to replace the lifters too, as they wear together, and oiling in a Big Block is crucial, and any old worn parts might hinder it's operation. Also, I will tell you this, in my research, despite what anyone tells you, the Big Block is superior to the Small Block, just for example the oiling system has different routing that makes oil didtribution better, and will reduce bearing failure in HP applications. If you want a little gain and keep the "stock feel" I recommend the Comp Cams, 11-206-3 Dual Energy Cam, or for a bit more power the 11-204-3, both have smooth Idles and will give great dynamic compression ratios which is what you want if you want good fuel economy. Also, another thing to be aware of when buying parts, GM changed the big Blocks in 1996, so make sure that you buy for Gen IV or Gen V (1965-1996) and not for Gen VI (1996+). Let me know if you have other questions, or building/modifying concerns.