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MP .557 solid cam help needed

Posted By: moparrulzzz

MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 12:55 AM

I am 95% decided to go with the Lunati 60305 Hyd cam in my motor..
Here is Combo....
'71 440 Block .30 over
All neccesary machine work/ fully balanced
Block square decked
Ross 99539 pistons/ 2.065 Comp. Height
New Scat Rods

Lunati 60305 cam/lifters
440 Source stealth heads/Crane Ductile adjustable rockers, bushed by RAS/ Bananna groove shafts
Holley SD intake
Holley 850 DP
1 7/8 headers/ 3" exhaust w X pipe
MP Ignition
3.91 gears
Windage Tray

I have gotten numerous suggestions to go with the mp.557 solid cam. Here is my dilemma. This being my 1st high performance build I have "0" experience with a solid cam.

Can someone in a nutshell explain how to adjust valve lash. Is it relatively easy to do once figured out? Does motor need to be running while doing this?

I don't have my FSM handy, does it go into this in there??
Chuck
Posted By: Skeptic

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 01:03 AM

You can rough the lash cold then finish hot, engine not running. You can get a tape to put on the damper that will guide what valves to adjust. You will need different pushrods than the ones for a hyd cam. much more and you really do need a FSM- at least the first coulpe of times anyway. I have a different procedure that I use, but I've been a tech for nearly 26 years. I always recommend starting off from the book(s), you'll learn then shortcuts later.
Posted By: solidcam

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 01:23 AM

Once you have gone solid, you won't go back.You will need differant pushrods(make sure your springs are ok with the 557,(which by the way rocks IMO).Setting lash is no big drama and contrary to popular old wives tales need not be done all that often,... as long as no valvetrain problems are present to start with.Setting lash cold is fine,pull the valve covers and set up 1 cylinder at a time.Lash is over-rated and although you should follow the manufacturers specs, the engine only really cares to see some clearance at operating temperature.There is a voice in your head saying...go solid...go solid
Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 01:26 AM

Quote:

Can someone in a nutshell explain how to adjust valve lash.

adj each rocker arm when its cam lobe is on the cam base circle (several methods to do this). eng off/plugs out/breaker bar/1&1/4" socket on crank bolt. hand turn it to reach each adjusting point. If the spec is for example .020" adj it to where a .019" feeler gauge has NO drag and a .021" gauge has a SLIGHT drag. then start the eng & when it is warmed up (or after a 20-30 min 2500 breakin) then shut it off & pull the plugs and repeat the above. Some adj them while running, I do not. If the cam gives a cold and a hot spec(s) then go w that. If this is a new cam/lifter(s) breakin I'd adj the valves (cold) then take off the rocker shafts and regoop the lobe/lifter bottoms w the rocker screw adjustment untouched as alot of hand turning will wipe the goop off & with this much $$$ invested it's not the time to take shortcuts
Posted By: 64Post

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 01:26 AM

I initially lash cold using the 180º method so I can do 4 valves at a time. Since you have aluminum heads, subtract .005" from the cam card recommendations ( .020" - .005" = .015" ) if you cold lash.

Check the tech archives here, there might be step by step instructions.
Posted By: moparrulzzz

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 03:08 AM

Thnx for the info guys. I need to chew on this some more but I think I may go ahead and go solid!!
I will get my FSM out and read up and look in the tech archives here!!
Thnx!!!
Chuck
Posted By: 383man

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 04:13 AM

Chuck I am sorry I did not get back to your PM as I am feeling much better today. As was stated you need the lifter on the cam base to adjust and I just do mine by cranking the eng and watching the valves to know where they are. Adjust them cold when you assemble it and the after it runs a bit pull the covers and adjust them again hot without the eng running. I love the .557 cam my self as it works great in my 63 and my boys Dart. You can PM me anytime as I will try to help all I can. Good luck. Ron

Oh and I only adjust my valves once a year. And I drive my 63 alot in the summer.
Posted By: Stroked65Belv

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 04:23 AM

It is a huge undertaking to maintain a solid lifter cam. Especially if your a part time driver/streeter cruiser type. If so then go roller or hyd. Solids take time to set up and for the most part you have to inspect!
I run an Ultradyne .577 solid in my 440/498 stroker. Had I built this engine I would had gone roller but the power now is tremendous and scary fast. Not many "cams" have it as solids do..
go see a few old school builders and ask away!
Im stuck with what I have for now but I tell you, this cam is crazy! set up right you can get huge power...
Posted By: Von

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 04:27 AM

Quote:

It is a huge undertaking to maintain a solid lifter cam.



Dead wrong.

As long as you have good adjusters you shouldnt need to adjust the valves very often.

Now if you have crap adjusters, that is another story. DAMHIK.
Posted By: goldmember

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 04:49 AM

Quote:

It is a huge undertaking to maintain a solid lifter cam. Especially if your a part time driver/streeter cruiser type. If so then go roller or hyd. Solids take time to set up and for the most part you have to inspect!
I run an Ultradyne .577 solid in my 440/498 stroker. Had I built this engine I would had gone roller but the power now is tremendous and scary fast. Not many "cams" have it as solids do..
go see a few old school builders and ask away!
Im stuck with what I have for now but I tell you, this cam is crazy! set up right you can get huge power...

I just don't get it,my Ultradyne solid cam has never needed any real effort,just don't assume all valve springs are the same,just because they have similar numbers doesn't mean good valvetrain life.I wouldn't put a .557 mopar in anything,unless it had shag carpet.The last Mp .557 cam was a dog when 2 other cams were run against it at the track,maybe MP ground me a dud?
Posted By: 383man

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 07:09 AM

Quote:

Quote:

It is a huge undertaking to maintain a solid lifter cam. Especially if your a part time driver/streeter cruiser type. If so then go roller or hyd. Solids take time to set up and for the most part you have to inspect!
I run an Ultradyne .577 solid in my 440/498 stroker. Had I built this engine I would had gone roller but the power now is tremendous and scary fast. Not many "cams" have it as solids do..
go see a few old school builders and ask away!
Im stuck with what I have for now but I tell you, this cam is crazy! set up right you can get huge power...

I just don't get it,my Ultradyne solid cam has never needed any real effort,just don't assume all valve springs are the same,just because they have similar numbers doesn't mean good valvetrain life.I wouldn't put a .557 mopar in anything,unless it had shag carpet.The last Mp .557 cam was a dog when 2 other cams were run against it at the track,maybe MP ground me a dud?




The MP .557 cam a dog ?? I have had that cam in at least 4 cars and they all run very hard. I would think the car you talk about had other problems as I have always seen everyone happy with the .557 cam. Ron
Posted By: 383man

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 07:12 AM

Quote:

Quote:

It is a huge undertaking to maintain a solid lifter cam.



Dead wrong.

As long as you have good adjusters you shouldnt need to adjust the valves very often.

Now if you have crap adjusters, that is another story. DAMHIK.




Von is dead right. As I stated I drive my 63 alot and race it 3 or 4 times a year and I only adjust my valves once a year. And they are usually not out of adjustment or only out a very little bit. I just use standard ductile iron rockers. Ron


Posted By: mike s

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 07:17 AM

I agree you should use the 180 method since you are new to adjusting the valves.As far as the cams I prefer the Lunati.You will have a huge difference in mid range torque with the Lunati.Top end H.P. will be close between the two cams.As far as the .557 it is the only MP cam I would use if I had no other choice.Ultradyne,Engle and others have some terrific solid lifter cams.One note if you decide to run a solid invest in a set of edm (oiling) solid lifters.
Posted By: 440challenger

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 12:17 PM

557 kicks azzzzz
11.30s in a full street car with power brakes

Attached picture 5765351-trackrental.jpg
Posted By: dOc !

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 01:14 PM

What is the current part# for the cam and or cam and lifters?
Posted By: 70VcodeCoronetRT

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 03:15 PM

I don't know how true this is but I've been told to steer clear of the MP cams. I guess they are now a happy china part. And are having more than normal cams going flat. I guess it's a hardness issue.
Posted By: ZIPPY

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 03:32 PM

Country of origin is USA.

They're processed and machined in Jackon Michigan and packaged in Adrian Michigan.

I have two wiped Comp cams under my desk, and my buddy has a wiped Lunati he threw in the dumpster a couple weeks ago, but you'll never catch me posting any "made in" lies about their products. All the major cams out there are generally good but ---- happens sometimes.

Posted By: dOc !

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 04:21 PM

Quote:



I have two wiped Comp cams under my desk





Were these cams purchased before or after the nitriding process?
Posted By: SV_MOPARS

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 04:51 PM

go with the 557, awsome cam, have it heat treated to be safe.
Posted By: RapidRobert

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 04:54 PM

Quote:

I don't know how true this is but I've been told to steer clear of the MP cams.
Quote:

I've heard the same complaints for 20 years regarding MP cams and valves
Posted By: Valiant_Showoff

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 05:44 PM

I'm running 557 in my 360 and love it.

Attached picture 5765775-valiantlaunchatQuaker1.JPG
Posted By: imfixinmopars426

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 05:59 PM

Quote:

Quote:

Quote:

It is a huge undertaking to maintain a solid lifter cam.



Dead wrong.

As long as you have good adjusters you shouldnt need to adjust the valves very often.

Now if you have crap adjusters, that is another story. DAMHIK.




Von is dead right. As I stated I drive my 63 alot and race it 3 or 4 times a year and I only adjust my valves once a year. And they are usually not out of adjustment or only out a very little bit. I just use standard ductile iron rockers. Ron





if you get the understanding how they work,and adjust,you will never go back to a mudstick cam. get detailed instruction on how to adjust,and ck hot later,and GO!..and the FSM might help,but with that cam,make sure your on the "backside" of the lobes when making the adjustment...the big cam guys will explain in proper instructions .also did you have a good head guy go over the heads,or are they ready to run??? better ck .oh,just ck how many engines cam with solids..../6? sbc's by the thousands...ect ect..ya solids are scary,like the ones in my 1953 f-head jeep...
Posted By: 383man

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 06:47 PM

Quote:

557 kicks azzzzz
11.30s in a full street car with power brakes



Power brakes here also using the MP .557 cam. Ron


Posted By: rt66jim

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/28/10 08:05 PM

I would agree with what others have said reguarding adjustment. You might have to run them a couple of times at first. While everything seats in together. After that 1 a year. I would strongly recommend using the MP lash chart to adjust the valves by. I believe it is the only way to be sure. You have the lifter in the same position on the cam lobe every time. You really won't need a timing tape. Just measure the circumference of your damper. Divide by 4. The place a mark on the damper every 1/4 of the way around it. This will be 90* on the crank. Makes it easy to run the valves. Jim
Posted By: moparrulzzz

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/29/10 01:34 AM

This has been a very productive thread. Thnx too all who took a second to reply! I have my FSM I am going to look at, I didn't see anything in the tech archives but will look again as I skimmed thru it.
THNX!!!!
Chuck
Posted By: moparrulzzz

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/29/10 01:35 AM

Quote:

What is the current part# for the cam and or cam and lifters?



P4120661 according to Summit
Posted By: MNobody

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/29/10 05:20 AM

Theres a lash chart in the tech archives, setting the lash is easy. Start at TDC adjust 2 valves, rotate 90 degrees adjust 2 valves and so on until your done. I don't pull the plugs, why bother, use a socket on the dampner bolt. Use the reusable valve cover gaskets. Whole process takes me about 30-40 min. I'm running a .528 solid in my 318, my first experience with a solid cam and i'll never go back to hydraulic. She pulls good right up to 6800 rpm's...
Posted By: Dodgem

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/29/10 03:40 PM

When I ran a solid with iron heads we found the intakes closed up about .002 and the exhaust about .004 so we just set cold using that info so if we wanted .028 intake we set it .030 and if we wanted .032 exhaust we set it .036.
We did however run less lash than MP said and went for .022/.026 hot
Posted By: 70VcodeCoronetRT

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/29/10 03:54 PM

Well I might have to give the 528 a look again if there is no problems with the mp cams
Posted By: Dodgem

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/29/10 05:18 PM

MP cams have always worked great were designed to make use of the Big mopar lifter way back in the day before anyone else thought of it. Cams designed for mopars not chevy's then cut on a mopar blank!!!
But seems more today than ever degree should be checked with the tolerances of the cam dowel, cam gear dowel placement, crank gear keyway placement and so all can stack up to a cam way off and often retarded when the respond well to a little extra advance on a street or street strip motor.
No cam works well degreed way off but mild cams are more forgiving?? But mild = slow in my book and who wants that???
Posted By: Valiant_Showoff

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/29/10 06:11 PM

Quote:

Well I might have to give the 528 a look again if there is no problems with the mp cams



I used to run the 528 before I stepped up the convertor a few years ago (and hence the switch to the 557) and was very, very happy with the 528 in my 360. It was a torque monster with great street manners.

My brother ran a 528 in his 440, 4-speed GTX on the street with very good results too.

I might be in the minority, but I love the old Mopar camshafts. The they be old school designs, but they were specifically designed for old school Mopar engines that we're still running today. Not a Chevy designed profile cut onto a Mopar shaft.

Attached picture 5767828-enginecompartment1.JPG
Posted By: moparrulzzz

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/30/10 02:11 AM

Thnx all you have helped me tremendously!!!!!!
Posted By: dOc !

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/30/10 07:43 AM

Quote:

Quote:

What is the current part# for the cam and or cam and lifters?



P4120661 according to Summit



THX for the # ... I found it on the Jugs site ...along with the pricing.

What is up with some of that pricing ? .. the 590 cam is a bunch cheaper.

And keeping with the direction of this topic ... I would like to hear a "report card" on that 590 vs the 557 and 528.
Posted By: Von

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/30/10 06:00 PM

Quote:

MP cams have always worked great were designed to make use of the Big mopar lifter way back in the day before anyone else thought of it.



Hmmmm. That is an interesting statement. Although, Id bet my life the .200 numbers on a MP .557,.590 arent in the ballpark when compared to say a Ultradyne NF Lobe.

Anybody have the .200 numbers on a .557 or .590?
Posted By: pacifica

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/30/10 06:07 PM

Quote:

Theres a lash chart in the tech archives, setting the lash is easy.



Valve Adjusting Chart (90 degree method)

Attached picture 5769851-egspvl(Small).jpg
Posted By: 440Jim

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/30/10 07:11 PM

Quote:

Anybody have the .200 numbers on a .557 or .590?

This is what I measured on the MP 0.557" cam (within measurement uncertainty)

.020" 287º
.050" 257º (256.5)
.100" 222º
.200" 165º

Fast68Plymouth posted the 0.590" cam years ago:
Quote:

.020" 303.5º
.050" 270.5º
.100" 235.0º
.200" 177.0º



Ultradyne 0.050"/0.200"
_____NF57 255/172
_____NF64 271/188
Posted By: Wedge7070

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/30/10 08:52 PM

64Post mentioned about subtracting .005 from the lash when using aluminum heads. Please explain why.
Posted By: MNobody

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/30/10 08:56 PM

Aluminum moves more than steel?
Posted By: 440forPOWER

Re: MP .557 solid cam help needed - 01/30/10 09:08 PM

Just curious, does anyone sell the MP cams without lifters? Or are the all sold as kits? Thanks
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