Rookie here, back with more basic questions. Initially, my question was just going to be what a cam is at all, but I picked up the March issue of Chevy High Performance which has a _great_ basic primer on what a cam is and does -- I definitely recommend it for other newcomers like me. What it didn't say, though, was what people mean by "overhead cam" and "double overhead cam." As always, you advice is much appreciated; with all your guys' help, one of these days I'm actually going to know a little about that thing thumping away under the hood.--Rookie

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'72 350 Malibu
Team Chevelle #528

Try this link- it expains it all!! very good for a rookie

http://www.autoshop-online.com/auto101.html

It's another one of those things we Chevelle guys don't have to worry about http://www.chevelles.com/forum/smile.gif

It's what you get when your oldlady "intercepts" your new thousand dollar full roller valvetrain shipment!

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Harley
69 461 El Camino Nitrous Model, 69 Chevelle coupe
70 El Camino,71 SS Camaro
79 Corvette
Kerrville,Tx.
A Camel is a Horse designed by a commitee

Harley,
Is that a Webster's or a personal definition?

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Tom Parsons

good one Harley. http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif

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Leo Paugh
Maryland Chevelle Club #017
The bitterness of poor quality remains long after the sweetness of the low price is forgotten.

Rookie;

Asking that question on this web page is kind of a mistake!

An overhead cam engine has the cam mounted in the head and not in the block (with push-rods).

As a result, the cam (in most cases) works directly on the top of the valves. In some cases, there is a "bucket" between the cam and the valves that you put shims in to set valve clearance. In some cases, there are rockers involved (like in the Datsun that I had a long time ago).

The big advantage is that there is less "mass" that has to be moved while opening the valves and at high RPM it can really make a difference.

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Wes. Vann
Technical Reference section
Gold Member #5

I thought it was the special order one you have waited 3 weeks for, only to have the stock boy put it on the top shelf, and the girl at the counter can only reach the 2nd. shelf! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif
No Ladder! No stockboy! Only inches between your cam and her fingertips, and she won't let you behind the counter!Something about insurance liability, and he getting fired if the boss saw it!
No, it hasn't happened to me, I just thought it up! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/biggrin.gif
HA!HA! That's an overhead Cam!

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1972 Malibu (1 st. car) Project waiting to happen
Team Chevelle # 427
A.C.E.S. # 1282

Hey everyone, thanks for the info. Sorry it didn't apply to our cars ... I didn't know, I promise! http://www.chevelles.com/forum/redface.gif And Jarret, thanks for the automotive 101 link -- answers a LOT of questions I had. Now I won't have to bug you guys ... or at least not as much....

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'72 350 Malibu
Team Chevelle #528