what cam do I have
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Spokane Washington
what cam do I have
I have a 69 vette recently purchased that is suposed to be a 383. It runs well. I am going to move it to a 72 driver. How can I tell what cam it has. I will need new heads and now is the time to change cams if needed.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,356
Likes: 6,332
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
Measuring lift and duration with the cam in the engine and the engine in the car is a difficult thing to do. Best way is to pull the cam out and check the manufacturer's stamp ID, usually located on the back surface of the cam's rear bearing journal.
You can put a degree wheel on it and a dial indicator and do a "reverse cam degree" to get the numbers, but it's not easy to do with the engine in the chassis.
Lars
You can put a degree wheel on it and a dial indicator and do a "reverse cam degree" to get the numbers, but it's not easy to do with the engine in the chassis.
Lars
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 495
Likes: 1
From: Spokane Washington
I will be pulling engine. Got no info from previous owner. The engine runs well but not great. It still has stock exhaust manifold and 1975 iron heads small exhaust valves. So I will be researching new heads, headers, manifold, and carb. Maybe I should just plan on new matching cam. That could make a bi big difference. And combo suggestions.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,356
Likes: 6,332
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
If the engine is coming out, it's easy: Just pull the cam out and check the ID stampings in the back end of the cam. Pull up the manufacturer's web site and specs, and check it - every cam has ID stampings on it. You might get lucky and find that it's a great cam that's perfect for your application. But, if you're like me, you'll find it's a suckwad cam, and you'll end up spending a ton more money than you ever planned to spend... 
Lars
Lars
