Stock 350 cam

[sbrad701]

Does anyone know what the lift is on a stock 350 cam? What's the max lift you can use with the stock converter? All info greatly appreciated.

[VetteVet]

According to the Haynes manual the 350 to 1986, intake was .260 and the exhaust was .2733 inches. Then you have to multiply those by the rocker ratio, usually 1.5. This gives .390 for the intake and .40995 for the exhaust.
The max lift you can use depends on several factors besides the torque converter. Valve springs, push rod length, pistons etc. I'll leave that to the racers to answer.

[Myself]

I would go no bigger than 268 grind with stock valve train, 272/274 grind with aftermarket valvesprings. The converter really just comes into play with longer duration cams. If the cam has more than 230 degrees of duration you should have a higher stall converter. But, if your running a cam that large, you should also have a beefed up transmission and better than stock heads anyway.

[sbrad701]

Thanks for the info guys. I'm fairly new to this so please excuse the noob questions. Would the cam listed below work on a stock valve train or would you suggest something better? This is for a 1972 C10 that's going to be street driven only but I do want a little lope but not too rough of an idle. I eventually want to go with different heads also.


Cam Style: Hydraulic flat tappet
Basic Operating RPM Range: Idle-5,500 RPM
Intake Duration at 050 inch Lift: 204
Exhaust Duration at 050 inch Lift: 214
Duration at 050 inch Lift: 204 int./214 exh.
Advertised Intake Duration: 262
Advertised Exhaust Duration: 272
Advertised Duration: 262 int./272 exh.
Intake Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.420 in.
Exhaust Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.442 in.
Valve Lift with Factory Rocker Arm Ratio: 0.420 int./0.442 exh. lift
Lobe Separation (degrees): 112
Intake Valve Lash: 0.000 in.
Exhaust Valve Lash: 0.000 in.
Computer Controlled Compatible: Yes
Lifters Included: Yes
Lifter Style: Hydraulic flat tappet

[bryanw1968]

268 is more cam than I would use with stock springs and push in studs. Push in studs might actually be ok but I wouldn't go any bigger. Z-28 style springs are cheap for the whole set. Stock springs are maybe 90lbs of seat pressure which would coil bind for sure with any decent size cam.

Refer to my fotki.com/bryanw1968 page and look at the valve springs I broke with my 268 cam and stock springs.

Good luck.

[my67C10]

holey crap! did this mechanic make any compinsation?

[Myself]

I forget the number, but Crane has a cam with 442/465 lift that is great for mild performance and stock valvetrain. I've been running that one in my V8 powered S10 Blazer for 45,000 miles with no problems.