ticky ticky ticky
 

Ive had this compcams XS274S cam sitting around for a few weeks and I decided to install it today. And thats just what I did. I also changed valves springs and retainers to handle the higher lift. I'm using 1.6 rockers and the lift on the intake comes out to .525 or so after factoring in valve lash so I thought new springs capable of .600 lift might be in order. I can never understate what a pain in the ass changing valve springs on the vehicle is. I also changed the manifold to a performer RPM . Got it all together and broke in the cam and took it for a little spin. Horsepower is fun ! Ive still got to get in there tomorrow and set the hot lash but I checked a few before I took it out and they were all within a few thousandths of what I set them at cold so I dont expect any surprises. I have no idea where the ignition timing is. I set it at 16 degrees initial just by lining the pickup up with the starwheel so it could be anywhere. I know I have a huge amount of vacuum for a cam this size. 18 inches without any tuning. Brakes work great. I'm happy. It sounds GREAT ! ticky ticky ticky rumble rumble rumble.


The old desktop dyno has me a bit over 400 HP and around 425 ft lbs. Not bad for a 350.
Tomorrow is tuning and oil change day. And I have to wash the wifes car.

Just like that eh, all in a days work.

Sounds awesome!! Is it any torquier??

Your wife has you wash her car in the rain too huh??:D

It was a good 9 hours minus 30 minutes running to the store to get the wife bread and gas. She's NEVER pumped her own gas ! Not once!

I'd say its torquier but its so far out of tune its hard to tell what it will really run like yet.

Mike, sounds good. I just got my cam today. Mild XE262H and the tech at Comp Cams said I would be o.k. with stock valve springs. My cam card recommends new springs (981-16). Is changing these really that bad?. I have never changed valve springs before.

You can have my old springs if you want to pay shipping on them. Theyre only six months old and theres nothing wrong with them and they'll handle your cam no problem. All you need is an adaptor to hook up to an air chuck and a compressor. The adaptors run $10 or so or if you have a compression gage the hose that comes with it will do the same thing. You just unscrew the spark plugs and screw in the adaptor . Then you pressurize the cylinder and use a tool that goes over the rocker stud . Its pretty easy really. Takes an hour or so for all 16 if your's slow like me. Gives you a chance to change seals too.

Mike,
Are they stock springs?. Do you know how much lift they will handle?. I do have a compression gauge.

Sounds good. I am still trying to decide if I want to get one of those cams or not. Are you going to stay with the 3.42 gears and 2200rpm stall? I would actually probably get the XS268, but that is nice to know that the power brakes still work good too. Are you still going to get new heads too?

Mike..mine went in today too...just have to put the heads on tomorrow...I cant wait to hear the tick..tick..tick.. too
Jim

Ive got 3.54 gears. I'll probably stick with the gearing for now. Although 4.10's are sounding good . Maybe I could find someone to trade me their coil sprung 4.10 posi 3/4 ton rear for my 3.54 geared posi coil spring Dana 60. Real hi stall converters arent too fun to drive on the street so the 2200 stall will stay.

The heads I should be able to pick up later this month. I'm waiting on a pretty healthy bonus at work that they better not screw me on.

The springs that came off my WP heads were rated for .550" . That wasnt enough room for error for me though so I changed them . They'll easily handle a .500" lift cam though.

lol I don't know why I typed 3.42. I was looking at your sig when I typed that too. I am probably going to go with the 2200rpm stall convertor too. If if works for what you have, it should be fine for mine too. Just let me know when you get the new heads, I still want to buy your old ones.

Mike,
I see what you mean about the spring rating. I sent you a PM.

Got it all done. new oil , filter, set the timing. I was about 10 degrees off. Set the hot lash everywhere. Runs great. Really pulls hard but I need lower gears. 3.54 doesnt dound like a bad ratio but those 32 inch tires are a killer. I think Ill pick up a 4.56 rear end if I cant find anyone who wanbts to trade for my 3.54 dana 60 posi.

Mike, You just about got me convinced to swap out my 268 and go with the 274 in my 383. How would you describe the idle quality with the 274. I was suprised by the amount of vacumm it pulled at idle I would have guessed about 13-14 for that cam in a 350. Once you get that new lower gear it'll be time for a set of fat sticky slicks...Stroker

Hey stroker..the cam mike has is a solid grind...its a new generaton of cams from comp..Im putting the 268 version in mine..I originally bought the 274, but sent it back to try the 268 solid.
Jim

19 inches of vacuum at idle and the idle quality is fantastic. Not choppy at all. I thought the 274 would be a bit much but its not. solid lifter duration numbers are a bit misleading if you are used to hydraulic cams.

Thanks for setting me straight guys. I guess I should have read a little closer I missed the "s" at the end of the post. The coment s about setting lash should of clued me in also. I understand that when the lash is taken into acount the seat to seat timming is a bit less than a comperable seat to seat hydralic. The more agressive ramp and the 1.6 rockers should get the valve off the seat in a hurry. Have fun with it....Stroker