Special Cam?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 3
From: Greensboro NC
Special Cam?
I have a "new to me" 69 conv. 350/350 4-spd.....all numbers match (casting and dates, Nov 69) on the block, heads and intake, engine code V1031HW.
Car ran awesome but smoked....
Now the question...
HW by my books say "special cam and carburetor"...what does that mean exactly?
Carburetor is a quadrajet reman, original long gone, reman is dated 1971.
Cam looks good, I broke the engine down due to smoking and am honing cylinders, new bearings etc. Cam has no markings that I can see but the lobes look high to me based on what I've seen before.
Car ran awesome but smoked....
Now the question...
HW by my books say "special cam and carburetor"...what does that mean exactly?
Carburetor is a quadrajet reman, original long gone, reman is dated 1971.
Cam looks good, I broke the engine down due to smoking and am honing cylinders, new bearings etc. Cam has no markings that I can see but the lobes look high to me based on what I've seen before.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi r,
'HW' is the broadcast code for the 69 350/350 engine with a 4-speed transmission, but one without A/C or TI.
I think the cam is mentioned in the application description because it's one of the things that made the engine different than the base 350/300 engine. The Chevy parts book will give the part number for the cam used. I believe it was 3896962 .
All 69 350/350 application descriptions have the special cam as all or part of the description.
For instance, the 'GD' broadcast code description is "TI & A/C Sp. Cam".
NICE engine! Horsepower but still easy to live with!
Regards,
Alan
'HW' is the broadcast code for the 69 350/350 engine with a 4-speed transmission, but one without A/C or TI.
I think the cam is mentioned in the application description because it's one of the things that made the engine different than the base 350/300 engine. The Chevy parts book will give the part number for the cam used. I believe it was 3896962 .
All 69 350/350 application descriptions have the special cam as all or part of the description.
For instance, the 'GD' broadcast code description is "TI & A/C Sp. Cam".
NICE engine! Horsepower but still easy to live with!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Nov 19, 2015 at 01:28 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 3
From: Greensboro NC
I am very please at how it runs and with side pipes she should be real fine....I understand the cam "making" it the 350/350 but then that also means that the four bolt mains were (I think) only for the 350/350? This engine has four bolt mains (Block 3970010, heads 3927186) Did the base 350/300 have two or four bolt mains? Also, did the same carb come on all of them?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,202
Likes: 4,287
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi r,
All that information is in the Specification Section of the 69 GM Chassis Service Manual (among many other places).
I only have the 71 CSM so really can't help with the info you asked for.
I'm sure another 350/350 person will be along that can help you.
If you don't have the 69 CSM you should consider buying one… it'll have a WEALTH of information you may need and be interested in.
Regards,
Alan
All that information is in the Specification Section of the 69 GM Chassis Service Manual (among many other places).
I only have the 71 CSM so really can't help with the info you asked for.
I'm sure another 350/350 person will be along that can help you.
If you don't have the 69 CSM you should consider buying one… it'll have a WEALTH of information you may need and be interested in.
Regards,
Alan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: mount holly NC
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Free download!
You can find a lot of information here:
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You can find a lot of information here:
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/gm-...tion-kits.html
Last edited by Les; Nov 19, 2015 at 02:52 PM.
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From: Reno Nevada
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I don't know the intended use of your car. If you are not being judged for originality I would also store those heads away. I put a lot of money in my 186 casting heads and eventually just gave them away because even with the best porting and race flow valves the chamber design and cfm flow is inferior.
I helped modify a local friends 71 LT1 and it ran much better than the original. He just stored everything away in case some family member sells it after he is gone.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 115
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From: Greensboro NC
I hear you...my intentions are to cruise and enjoy my car....I like horsepower but in reality the car was just fine for me as it is..... I know a lot of the guys on this site are horsepower freaks, and that is fine, but I've been doing old cars for forty years and I need enough horsepower to be able to get out of the way!!!!! This one really beats my 1936 original Ford!!!
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
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From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
I hear you...my intentions are to cruise and enjoy my car....I like horsepower but in reality the car was just fine for me as it is..... I know a lot of the guys on this site are horsepower freaks, and that is fine, but I've been doing old cars for forty years and I need enough horsepower to be able to get out of the way!!!!! This one really beats my 1936 original Ford!!!
I was working on these motors back when they were only a few years old and the first thing we did was to take off the rotators and spring caps and go to the dealership and pickup off road springs and retainers.
I've since moved on to roller cams and it is truly amazing how different the motor feels. It raises the average hp and TQ across all rpm levels
Could you take a picture of your cam lobes and post them?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 115
Likes: 3
From: Greensboro NC
Can I retain my "stock" look with a roller or half roller set up? Also, I'm thinking about putting side pipes on the car....can't quite work out in my mind how, if I use a Dougs headers set, do I hang my a/c and alternator. But I quess that wreaks the whole stock appearance anyway....brother.....
Burning Brakes
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From: Austin TX
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 823
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From: Austin TX
Team Owner
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 21,953
Likes: 1,445
From: Reno Nevada
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Can I retain my "stock" look with a roller or half roller set up? Also, I'm thinking about putting side pipes on the car....can't quite work out in my mind how, if I use a Dougs headers set, do I hang my a/c and alternator. But I quess that wreaks the whole stock appearance anyway....brother.....
I prefer ARP exhaust studs for any header installation though.
years ago I ran 1.6 steel roller rocker under my stock L-82 valve covers. I had to grind off the cast splash tabs
Last edited by gkull; Nov 25, 2015 at 03:01 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
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From: Tampa Bay FL
Can I retain my "stock" look with a roller or half roller set up? Also, I'm thinking about putting side pipes on the car....can't quite work out in my mind how, if I use a Dougs headers set, do I hang my a/c and alternator. But I quess that wreaks the whole stock appearance anyway....brother.....
One look under the hood of my car and folks would think it was a very mild 350 (2-bolt) with headers and carb as that is all they see. However, it has a Comp retro roller kit, ultra pro magnum roller rockers, DART heads, federal mogul flat tops, and lots of other nice goodies that really make it sing (although, it STILL burns oil). I hope to do a light rebuild on the bottom end with new hone/bore to .030-.040 and new bearings. The rest I will re-install. See signature and my 'garage' link. I intentionally leave it simple appearing under the hood with minimal bling. I prefer the sheeps clothing for my wolf
Last edited by TedH; Nov 25, 2015 at 03:07 PM.