Author Topic: Cam help for a stock 440?  (Read 849 times)

Offline brads70

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Cam help for a stock 440?
« on: April 06, 2009 - 11:11:22 PM »
Hi all!
I have I believe a stock 440 out of a motorhome and want to install a cam in it? How much lift can I use before I need to worry about valve to piston clearance? I was looking at the Voodoo series from Lunati? Anyone run one? How do you like it? Anything else I need to change when I change cam and lifters? Will pushrods still work? Valve springs? I'm running a 727, convertor I'd assume is stock, so that may have to change too?
Thanks Brad
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

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Offline firefighter3931

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Re: Cam help for a stock 440?
« Reply #1 on: April 07, 2009 - 12:10:38 AM »
Those pistons will be way down the hole....no worries with piston to valve clearance with just about any cam. The #302 VooDoo 220/226 on a 112* lsa would be a good choice and install it on a 106* intake centerline. The recommended Lunati springs or the Comp Cams #911 will work with that cam profile. Stock rockers and pushrods should be fine as long as they are in descent shape. The factory converter will also match up well with this cam choice.


Ron
68 Charger RT street/strip Bruiser & 70 Charger RT 440-6pack the ultimate Cruiser

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Cam help for a stock 440?
« Reply #2 on: April 07, 2009 - 01:03:10 AM »
 :iagree:
Engle also has some great profiles , you do need to change springs & generally around .520 lift you will have to trim the top of the valve guides

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline brads70

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Re: Cam help for a stock 440?
« Reply #3 on: April 07, 2009 - 08:15:15 AM »
Thanks guys for your replies!
What did you mean by," lsa would be a good choice and install it on a 106* intake centerline."
Do you think changing springs is mandatory? The engine is a fresh rebuild according to the guy I bought the car from?
Thanks Brad
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline firefighter3931

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Re: Cam help for a stock 440?
« Reply #4 on: April 07, 2009 - 10:36:52 AM »
Thanks guys for your replies!
What did you mean by,"112* lsa would be a good choice and install it on a 106* intake centerline."
Do you think changing springs is mandatory? The engine is a fresh rebuild according to the guy I bought the car from?
Thanks Brad


The 112* LSA refers to the lobe seperation angle. Wide lobed cam profiles provide a broad/flat power curve and are easier to tune. Good manifold vacuum and nice street manners. Degreeing it in on a 106* intake centerline means that you will be advancing the cam timing....this helps when trying to cover-up a defiency such as low static compression.

The springs need to be properly matched to the cam profile. It's important to maintain proper valvetrain stability. Floating or bouncing valves will create quite an expensive mess. Matching up the components is key to having the engine run properly and live a long happy life.



Ron
68 Charger RT street/strip Bruiser & 70 Charger RT 440-6pack the ultimate Cruiser

Offline brads70

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Re: Cam help for a stock 440?
« Reply #5 on: April 07, 2009 - 08:39:42 PM »
Thanks for clearing that up for me! So your saying advance the cam 6 degrees?
Sorry newbie here on Mopars. How do I do that? On Chevy's I'd use offset bushings, same for Mopar? Or get a new timing chain with advance on the crank key-way?
Thanks Brad
Brad
1970 Challenger 451stroker/4L60 auto OD
Barrie,Ontario,Canada
Proud to own one of the best cars ever made!!!!!

My restoration thread 
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=59072.0
 My handling upgrade post
http://www.cuda-challenger.com/cc/index.php?topic=73985.0

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: Cam help for a stock 440?
« Reply #6 on: April 07, 2009 - 09:08:05 PM »
depends on the condition of the chain in there , I usually get the JP chains with 8 keyways to dial them in

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t