New Cam for '68 HT block

[Ron F.]

Hi,

Since I don't have the original engine in my 64 I am taking some liberties with it's restoration and going on a nostalgia trip with a 327 HT block and heads from a 1968 Vette. I am looking for advice as to camshafts. I want a mild lope and solid lifters, just for the cool sounds. I am going to run three deuces, a 4 speed, Hooker headers and side pipes. I'm not looking for mega horsepower and my racing will be confined to street drags with my brother-in-law. I just want to have fun.

Ron

[Jim T.]

Re: New Cam for '68 HT block

If the 68 HT engine is intact, just use the 68 HT's cam, it is hydraulic and will give a nice sound. The 68 HT from the factory was a 11:1 compression ratio. IMO it is necessary to run the compression the original type engine came with to get the lope. A mechanical cam with a low compression engine is just going to give you some tappet noise and no real performance.

[Ron F.]

Re: New Cam for '68 HT block

Hi,

I should have mentioned that the cam is not original and I am unable to ID the manufacturer or type. The lifters are missing so I don't know if they were solid or hydraulic. I definitely want solids so I am taking no chances and swapping out the cam.

Ron

[Joe L.]

Re: New Cam for '68 HT block

Hi,

I should have mentioned that the cam is not original and I am unable to ID the manufacturer or type. The lifters are missing so I don't know if they were solid or hydraulic. I definitely want solids so I am taking no chances and swapping out the cam.

Ron

Ron-----


For what you're after, I'd use a clone of the GM #3972178 (cast 3972182) cam as used for 1970-72 LT-1's. You can get a Crane-manufactured cam and lifter kit from GM under GM #12364054.

[William V.]

Re: New Cam for '68 HT block

Ron

I built a 388 cu/in stroker (60 over) flat top pistons and 10.5:1 compression and installed a COMP solid lifter cam #12-000-5 (intake lift = 505 & duration= 284) (exhaust lift 499 duration 291). valve adjustment is .012 intake & exhaust. The power band is 2500 to 6900 rpm. The engine sounds and runs awesome and kicks up to 6500 in a flash. It also idles at 700 rpm with manifold vacuum at 14 to 15 lbs and is very streetable.

Good luck

BV

[Ron F.]

Re: New Cam for '68 HT block

Thanks Joe, Bill and Jim,

I'm leaning toward the LT1 cam right now.

Ron

[Duke W.]

Re: New Cam for '68 HT block

You can also buy the LT-1 cam from NAPA under the Sealed Power (Federal Mogul) brand, CS-1145R and the lifters are AT-992.

Search the archives for "327 LT-1" under my screen name for information on the details of this configuration and lab and chassis dyno tests - 80 percent torque bandwidth was 2100 to 6750 with useable power to 7200 and close to 300 SAE corrected RWHP at 6500.

Everything except the connecting rods (and LT-1 cam) is OE '65 L-76 and L-79 (one of each were the starting points). The secret to the broad torque bandwidth is the cam and the secret to the high top end power is the head work.

Duke

[Ron F.]

Re: New Cam for '68 HT block

Thank you Duke,

I ordered cam and lifters this morning.

Ron

[Joe L.]

Re: New Cam for '68 HT block

You can also buy the LT-1 cam from NAPA under the Sealed Power (Federal Mogul) brand, CS-1145R and the lifters are AT-992.

Duke

Duke-----


Yes, the equivalent cam and lifters can be purchased through NAPA under the part numbers you described. However, they'll cost about 225 bucks at NAPA. The Crane-manufactured GM #12364054 kit carries a GM list of $226. It should be pretty easy to buy it for 25% off list, so one should be able to save about 50 bucks going with the GM kit.

[Ron F.]

Re: New Cam for '68 HT block

Hi,

I Googled the part # and found Northern Auto Parts. Cam - $76, lifters - $2.60 each. Manufactured by Federal-Mogul.

Ron