I have access to a Crane cam (not sure of number) 224/224 .483/.483 @.050 Aside from not having a fuel pump lobe, is there anything else that would preclude me from using this cam with roller hydraulic lifters in my '69 (L35) 396 +.030? If feasible, what CR would you suggest I shoot for. I have yet to begin the rebuild so my options are still open.

TIA

You'll have to do something sort of mutant about the cam gear... the gear that fits that cam is expecting a thrust plate on the front of the block, which you of course will not have. You'll need to fake that thickness somehow. Perhaps cut a bit off the factory roller gear, and use a Torrington bearing setup behind it.

I think you'll find though, by the time you get through doing all that, you'll find that (a) you have as much money if not more tied up in it, as you would if you bought the cam you really want; and (b) that's not a particularly great cam, for the stock heads on that motor (if that's what you've got), which will benefit greatly from a split pattern with a bigger exhaust lobe; and (c) the cam you would really want, if you're looking to get that much intake duration, will have at least .100" more lift than that.

All in all, IMHO it's not a great combo that's worth graunching a misfit into your motor to achieve.

O.K.; for starters if it's a Gen VI cam it should have the fuel pump lobe. The Gen V did not. G.M sells the cam retainer plate and Cloyes have three variations for the timing gears and chain. The retro lifters are very expensive and the pushrods are approx. .100" shorter. Besides that, it's a good idea for holding the cam in place but you'll pay the price! graemlins/beers.gif

For a roller, the cam you are looking at is very small. The only advantage would be less friction.

First you need to identify what you have to work with including heads, trans, gear ratio, tires, suspension, intake, carb, headers , exhaust. You sort everything out within a range then choose a cam to work within your performance goals.

TIA,

The cam you have was made by Crane for GM for Mercury Marine Mercruiser 330 HP 454 motors. It does not have a fuel pump lobe and must be run with a Gen VI Timing Set and melonized AC Delco distributor Gear.

It was designed to work with an 8.5 to 9.5:1 Static compression ratio. You can expect a flat Torque curve that will die off around 4500 to 4800 RPM.

I have a lot of experience with that exact cam over the last 4 years and in fact have 3 or 4 on my shelf right now.

If you have any other questions I can likely answer them.