Vortec heads and rv cam - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

72shortbed12 · 11-14-2010, 11:52 AM

I have a 350 4 bolt main sitting in my dads garage for 7 yrs now. Guy said it has 5,000 miles on it and a rv cam. I have a set of vortec heads I picked up a few yrs ago (I need to check casting numbers on motor and heads) and am wanting to throw them on. Depending on the lift of the cam would this be a good setup or do I need to look at getting another cam. I know the head swap will be well worth it.

Thanks

bigblock52 · 11-14-2010, 12:32 PM

well it depends on what you are wanting out of the engine I think. the "RV" cam is usually a split pattern 204- 214 duration with like .450 lift or so. nice smooth idle and a low power band - perfect for rv's or four wheel drives and such. you won't need much more lift as the vortec's are done flowing at .500 so some 1.6 rockers would work great if your springs and ptv clearence isn't a problem. would run great especially on the street as a mild and reliable setup. what do you want out of it?

72shortbed12 · 11-14-2010, 12:44 PM

An increase in power but nothing crazy. It'll be in my 72 k10 as a daily driver and some offroad but no racing or rock crawling or anything. I would be happy with 300 hp or so which from what I've read should be realistic with the vortec heads. I'm not sure if the rv cam is a good combo or not. I'd prefer to keep it since it's already installed. It would be nice to throw the heads and intake on and be done. I've also read about possibly needing different push rods? I know I'll need the vortec carb intake. Is there anything else?

Thanks

jhwkns · 11-14-2010, 01:41 PM

Change the valve springs if you think you will have coil bind issues.

classicchev · 11-14-2010, 02:07 PM

I have Vortec heads on a 350, Comp camXE284, was a decent setup with a intake and carb. Moved the 1 ton well. Not sure what cam you have, but for what it is its a nice driver.

72shortbed12 · 11-14-2010, 03:07 PM

It'll be a big improvement over the stock motor thats in it now. It's getting tired so I'm sure I'll be happy with it. What pushrods and valve springs would I need?

jhwkns · 11-14-2010, 05:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 72shortbed12

What pushrods and valve springs would I need?

Here's an article that will shed some light on it.

llowlife · 11-14-2010, 07:09 PM

Beehives are worth the extra money.

72shortbed12 · 11-14-2010, 11:28 PM

They sound like the best solution. I found a good writeup about doing the swap and having the heads machined. Very good info.
I'll probably just get the beehives.

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/ho...458/index.html

11-14-2010, 11:52 AM	#1
72shortbed12 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Santa Clara Utah Posts: 85	Vortec heads and rv cam I have a 350 4 bolt main sitting in my dads garage for 7 yrs now. Guy said it has 5,000 miles on it and a rv cam. I have a set of vortec heads I picked up a few yrs ago (I need to check casting numbers on motor and heads) and am wanting to throw them on. Depending on the lift of the cam would this be a good setup or do I need to look at getting another cam. I know the head swap will be well worth it. Thanks __________________ 1972 K10 4wd Swb 350, 4 speed, 205 t-case Sold 1971 Cheyenne 2wd Lwb 350 4 speed Sold 1972 K5 blazer 4WD auto A/C

11-14-2010, 12:32 PM	#2
bigblock52 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: murrieta, ca Posts: 7	Re: Vortec heads and rv cam well it depends on what you are wanting out of the engine I think. the "RV" cam is usually a split pattern 204- 214 duration with like .450 lift or so. nice smooth idle and a low power band - perfect for rv's or four wheel drives and such. you won't need much more lift as the vortec's are done flowing at .500 so some 1.6 rockers would work great if your springs and ptv clearence isn't a problem. would run great especially on the street as a mild and reliable setup. what do you want out of it?

11-14-2010, 12:44 PM	#3
72shortbed12 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Santa Clara Utah Posts: 85	Re: Vortec heads and rv cam An increase in power but nothing crazy. It'll be in my 72 k10 as a daily driver and some offroad but no racing or rock crawling or anything. I would be happy with 300 hp or so which from what I've read should be realistic with the vortec heads. I'm not sure if the rv cam is a good combo or not. I'd prefer to keep it since it's already installed. It would be nice to throw the heads and intake on and be done. I've also read about possibly needing different push rods? I know I'll need the vortec carb intake. Is there anything else? Thanks __________________ 1972 K10 4wd Swb 350, 4 speed, 205 t-case Sold 1971 Cheyenne 2wd Lwb 350 4 speed Sold 1972 K5 blazer 4WD auto A/C

11-14-2010, 01:41 PM	#4
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	Re: Vortec heads and rv cam Change the valve springs if you think you will have coil bind issues. __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

11-14-2010, 02:07 PM	#5
classicchev Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Calgary Alberta Posts: 1,936	Re: Vortec heads and rv cam I have Vortec heads on a 350, Comp camXE284, was a decent setup with a intake and carb. Moved the 1 ton well. Not sure what cam you have, but for what it is its a nice driver. __________________ 67- 72 Parts collecter

11-14-2010, 03:07 PM	#6
72shortbed12 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Santa Clara Utah Posts: 85	Re: Vortec heads and rv cam It'll be a big improvement over the stock motor thats in it now. It's getting tired so I'm sure I'll be happy with it. What pushrods and valve springs would I need? __________________ 1972 K10 4wd Swb 350, 4 speed, 205 t-case Sold 1971 Cheyenne 2wd Lwb 350 4 speed Sold 1972 K5 blazer 4WD auto A/C

11-14-2010, 07:09 PM	#8
llowlife Registered User Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Elgin Mn Posts: 112	Re: Vortec heads and rv cam Beehives are worth the extra money. __________________ In the beginning of a change, the patriot is a scarce man, brave hated and scorned. When his cause succeeds however, the timid join him , for then it costs nothing to be a patriot. I am a revolutionary...so my son can be a farmer...so his son can be a poet. If there must be trouble, let it be in my day, so my child may have peace... 72 short step w/ 388 /4l80e/ and 3.08 gears.

11-14-2010, 11:28 PM	#9
72shortbed12 Registered User Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Santa Clara Utah Posts: 85	Re: Vortec heads and rv cam They sound like the best solution. I found a good writeup about doing the swap and having the heads machined. Very good info. I'll probably just get the beehives. http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/ho...458/index.html __________________ 1972 K10 4wd Swb 350, 4 speed, 205 t-case Sold 1971 Cheyenne 2wd Lwb 350 4 speed Sold 1972 K5 blazer 4WD auto A/C



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