I have a 9.35-1 compression 440 I'm looking to swap cams on. Currently has an XE274 Comp. Combo is:

906 heads with larger valves, eddy rpm intake, AVS 800 carb, 1 3/4 headers, going in a 68 Satellite Wagon with 2500 stall and 4.10's.

The XE274 is OK but spongy on the bottom end. Sugguestions? Thanks!

That cam should work fine in that combo.

Was it degreed in?

Have you done a cranking compression test?

Any blending done to the heads after the big valves were put in?
They often flow less than stock if not, depending on exactly how the bowl cut/transition was done.

Off the top of my head, it really just looks like it could use more stall.

The best one IMO is the Summit Racing K6401 Install it around 104 and you will be happy camper and ...it is cheap as dirt
I have used about 50 of them over the years--perfect entry level TQ cam that will giddy up nicely --sounds decent and makes a tire melter out of a low compression 440 --anything else in that application is lots more $$$$$ and IMO not any better
In that wagon maybe even go 103 on install CL Thing is you have everything in place for a hot 440 EXCEPT compression so it is the limiting factor--so shave heads about -040 or swap to the 6401 cam installed like mentioned
a 3/4 ton car is hard to get moving

Please describe further what you mean by "spongy" and under what conditions is it spongy? WOT from a stop? Part throttle from a stop? Part throttle at low speed cruise?.......

Is it already in the Satellite? Was it in something else before? If so, what?

Initial timing? Advance all in at or below stall speed?

it could use more stall
Yes

Can't they all? I'll JWAG whats up with the distributor curve?

I don't see an issue with that cam either. I'd look at the tuning, ignition advance curve to start with.

Same. That's why i asked what spongy is to the OP. It could be due to a cheap a** converter under part throttle conditions.


Nothing about that combination should be spongy when you drop the hammer. Even if it had a stock converter and 3.23s. But it is a relative.discussion. Maybe the OP is use to a 1.5 sec. 60ft in street trim?

What Dwayne said, do a compression test & post what your timing numbers are to try & pin it down to either an eng prob or converter (not my area) problem or something else (gear ratio or ???).

I have a 440 that is also exactly 9.35 to 1 compression. I run a 270H Comp Cam and a CH28 with two Edelbrock 500s, 18 initial, 36 total. I love it.

I would bet it would run better with more initial. even though it runs good now.

Thanks for the reply guys. Cranking compression is 155 psi with cam advanced 4 degrees. Definitely could be a converter issue. Idles seemingly poor in gear. Checked for vacuum leaks but none were found. I double checked last night....converter is a cheap B&M 2400 job. Distributor has been recurved for setup by a reputable shop here. I'll have to get the specs on when timing is all in. Initial timing currently at 17....

My guess is you’d find better idle and very low speed driveability with a carb that has 4 corner idle.

You should look into something like a TCI Breakaway converter.
A TA “hemi” converter would be great, but I don’t think they’re still available, although it’s probably worth a phone call.

However, If I was determined to change the cam to try and improve the overall bottom end performance, and not take noticeable a power hit in the process...... I’d put a Crower 271hdp in it.

Bump the initial timming up to 24 & drive it easy, see how it runs, if it likes it get the dist recurved to match.

Agreed on the timing bump (& it is easy to do/reverseable). I had 19 on a bone stock 318 that was at 15 (just from adv the cam 4 deg) & I did not change the springs/reduce the total. started/idled fine.

What kind of distributor?

I will mess with the timing some more. Distributor is just a napa reman with pertronix installed.

I actually have a 3k stall converter but figured it was too much for this combo....was I wrong?

If it actually flashed to 3k(not 3400, 3600, 3800, etc), and was a quality piece, for a 230@.050 cam in that combo....... it should be fine.