1960 camshaft question for Duke WIlliams or others?

[Donald H.]

I have a 245HP 1960 with solid lifters now. If I decide to go back to hydraulics is the current Sealed Power CS179R a reasonable replacement? I plan to have the car flight judged, but not PVed.

Thanks,

Don

[Duke W.]

Re: 1960 camshaft question for Duke WIlliams or others?

The 245 HP engine used the same hydraulic lifter camshaft as the base 230 HP engine and had a smooth 500 RPM idle. The 270 HP engine used the mechanical lifter Duntov camshaft and had a lopey 900 RPM idle.

If you want it to behave like a 245 HP engine use the CS-274 camshaft, which is the 3896929 used on all base engines from 1967 to 1981. (The base cam used from '57 to '66 is long gone, but the 929 - otherwise known as the "300 HP cam" replaced it and provides identical operating characterists with less harsh lobe dynamics.)

If you want it to behave more like a 270 HP, but have hydraulic rather than mechanical lifters, the CS-179R would be a good choice.

Duke

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 camshaft question for Duke WIlliams or others?

Duke,

Thanks very much. I really appreciate the quick response.

Don

[Joe L.]

Re: 1960 camshaft question for Duke WIlliams or others?

Duke,

Thanks very much. I really appreciate the quick response.

Don

Don------


Another option for you would be a GM #14060651. This is a direct replacement for the original camshaft for your 245 HP application. It will provide performance and operating characteristics virtually identical with the original cam. This camshaft GM lists for over 300 bucks, but can be purchased for a lot less. Even better, some of the performance-type Chevrolet dealers remove these cams from GM crate engines in order to build up their own HP engines and short blocks. So, they usually sell these cams off at dirt cheap prices (like 25 bucks). If interested, you might try contacting Sallee Chevrolet in Oregon, Scoggins-Dickey in Texas, or Jim Pace Performance in Ohio.

[Philip P.]

Re: 1960 camshaft question for Duke WIlliams or others?

Don,
I purchased one from Pace Performane it was about $65 with complete set of lifters including shipping. I did not end up using it so cannot speak to its temperment, it was going to replace a solid lifter cam I had in my engine from its crazy days.
Phil

[Duke W.]

Re: 1960 camshaft question for Duke WIlliams or others?

To round out Joe's story, the 929 has gone through two design iterations since it was released in 1966. Both incorporate minor changes in lobe dynamics. The high level specs are not effected to any significant degree and all provide the same engine performance and behavior.

If you can find one of these "take-out" cams from a GM crate engine, they are usually a pretty good deal, but I think the CS-274 is only about fifty bucks.

Duke

[Donald H.]

Re: 1960 camshaft question for Duke WIlliams or others?

Thanks to all. I see Pace has the 14060651 cam and lifters for $49.95. I'll have to decide what I want to do. I don't plan to have the car PVed and I kind of like having the L79 cam with more lop to the idle, etc.

Thanks,

Don