Author Topic: What cam do I have?  (Read 796 times)

Offline usraptr

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What cam do I have?
« on: March 07, 2009 - 07:39:37 PM »
My cuda came with it's original 440 U engine.  It had been rebuilt in 1983 and has been on an engine stand ever since.  I've taken the heads and oil pan off to check things out and so far so good.  However, how do I determine which cam I have?  The engine was bored .30 over, stock stroke, but it definitely has a new camshaft.  The cam shaft  sprocket is different than the original shown in the motor manual and the cam shows no wear whatsoever.  Hydraulic lifters are new also.  I took the sprocket off and examined both sides and the only markings I could find are "4-82  S108B".  Have no idea what that means if anything. There also were no markings on the front face of the camshaft itself.   Any ideas on how to tell what cam I have?

Thanks
Brad
« Last Edit: March 08, 2009 - 05:02:53 PM by usraptr »
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
(Edited 8-1-17)

"usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.




Offline Challenger6pak

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Re: What cam do I have?
« Reply #1 on: March 07, 2009 - 08:23:40 PM »
There is a way to physically measure the cam. I do not know how to do it. My buddy is a master machinist and I just give them to him. Someone here may know how to do it. Also the numbers on the cam will mean something if you discover the manufacturer of the cam. The 4-82 could be a date.
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.

Offline femtnmax

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Re: What cam do I have?
« Reply #2 on: March 07, 2009 - 11:49:27 PM »
A cam from the 80's won't be even close to the potential of today's cam profiles.  I would suggest either lube it up and live with the result, or start researching mopar specific cams that are made for mopar 0.904 lifter diameters.  Lunati, Engle, etc make these cams.   YOu could probably use the lifters IF THEY ARE NEW.  otherwise buy new lifters.   Need to check out the valve spring seat and open pressure, and see if there are any weak springs.
IF you bought new cam and lifters, would be best to buy new springs to to match the cam.   Today's camshaft grinds are part of the reason today's engine make 1 hp per cubic inch so easily, whereas in the past you were doing real good to make  that torque and hp.
Phil

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: What cam do I have?
« Reply #3 on: March 08, 2009 - 04:41:50 AM »
108 could be the CL of the cam
 I would put a dial guage on it & measure the lift

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline usraptr

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Re: What cam do I have?
« Reply #4 on: March 08, 2009 - 04:59:32 PM »
Thanks guys.   :2thumbs: My intentions were to put another cam in it, however when I found the new cam and lifters, I was hoping I might save some money if it was already a high performance cam.   However, Femtnmax makes some good points, so I will probably go with a new cam when I get ready to install the engine.  That's still a long way off.  I'm not looking to make a tremendous amount of horsepower.  Just want a mid range cam with a nasty idle that still uses hydraulic lifters.  I just want something that sounds really nasty that gets people to turn around and look when you fire it up.   :bigsmile:   Any suggestions?   :feedback:
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
(Edited 8-1-17)

"usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.

Offline Chryco Psycho

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Re: What cam do I have?
« Reply #5 on: March 08, 2009 - 08:37:56 PM »
well the basic problem here is that the cams that sound mean generally do not make very good power or drivability until above 3000 RPM , I would be looking at a k56 /K58 Engle or Lunati VooDoo grind

Challenger - You`ll wish You Hadn`t

Offline Challenger6pak

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Re: What cam do I have?
« Reply #6 on: March 10, 2009 - 11:13:21 AM »
well the basic problem here is that the cams that sound mean generally do not make very good power or drivability until above 3000 RPM , I would be looking at a k56 /K58 Engle or Lunati VooDoo grind
:iagree:A midrange cam and a 'nasty' sounding cam do not co-exist. The sound you are speaking of comes from a high duration, high lift cam that is for high engine speed operation; which is something a street engine does not see most of the time. You can still run this type of motor on the street. You will have to live with the tradeoffs of low engine vacuum, poor fuel economy and all around poor drivability. 
« Last Edit: March 10, 2009 - 10:47:18 PM by Challenger6pak »
1969 Sport Satellite H code convertible, 1970 Cuda 440+6, 1970 Challenger R/T 440+6, 1970 Challenger 383 R/T auto, 1970 Challenger R/T 383 4 speed,1971 Challenger convertible.

Offline usraptr

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Re: What cam do I have?
« Reply #7 on: March 10, 2009 - 11:33:41 AM »
Thanks for the advice.  I wasn't aware of that and you make some very valid points.  In that case I might just go with the cam that's already in it, since it's new.  Will see, like I said, I'm a long way away from installing the motor yet. 
thanks again,  You guys are a wealth of information  :2thumbs:

Brad
« Last Edit: March 10, 2009 - 03:14:19 PM by usraptr »
1970 Plymouth 'Cuda.  Matching numbers 440 U Code, 4 speed pistol grip, Rallye dash, AM 8 Track, Shaker hood, 15 inch rallye wheels, Dana 60 4.10, Super Track Pak.  One of 134 - 440 "U" coupes codes built in 1970 and one of 100 - 440 Super Track Paks built in 1970.

Restoration pictures at:  http://spanks4thememory.smugmug.com/Cars/70-Cuda/7240639_M24oi#465274575_2MBqW
(Edited 8-1-17)

"usraptr" = United States raptor - bird of prey = United States Bald Eagle.  FYI, somebody else thought of it first so I had to drop the "O" in raptor.