I need to replace the cam / lifters in my 68 Power Wagon. I would like to increase the lift, but without running into a valve coil bind problem (I did this with a .441 lift in a 318 years ago).
Any experiences out there about a decent cam larger than stock?
Thanks

Was that .441 lift measured at the cam lobe or at the valve? If it was at the lobe then assuming a 1.5 rocker you certainly would have coil bind with .661 at the valve.

I would consult with any of the major aftermarket cam grinders and ask for an RV cam for your PowerWagon applications and get the matching springs. You could install the cam & lifters without pulling the heads, but why not freshen the top end (valve job) at the same time?

JMHO

I suggest a call to Hughes engines.

I went with a whiplash roller cam in my 91-#302 headed LA318 with a set of the comp 901-16 springs. (whiplash roller is for the 92-up magnum engines)

great daily drive in my 85 stepside with a NV4500 5 speed = 17 mpg and sounds awesome.

just put a whiplash flat tappet cam in my 78 440 engine with Hughes springs and did the brake in run last night. drove to work today.

sounds awesome and a great cruzer cam in the 88-440 truck

I am working on a 90-LA318 with 360 heads/comp springs for the 5.9 whiplash roller cam to go in my 82 W350 flatbed.

the whiplash cam is for a low comp stock engine and works well with all other stock componits like TC/gears/manifolds/headers ect.

the lift is in the 4.85/4.87 valve lift on the cams and no coil bind or PTVC problems on mine.

the Hughes springs and comp-901 spring is a large single with damper and drop on with no machine work/stock seals/retainers.

I ran 4-5 of the lunati SB cams which all spec for the same lunati duel spring that needs machine work/seals/retainers.

I used the comp 901-16 on all of them with drop on/seals/retainers. 10# less on seat but higher spring rate over all.

wish they would have had the whiplash out when I was running all the lunati voodoo cams..but I got them all swaped over now.

I've seen this done with the old Mopar Performance .484 lift cam and it worked ok.
If those heads have a lot of miles on them I would definitely get a valve job done with springs to match the cam like Polarapete said.

Sorry--that would be .441 advertised lift. The lobe is .294 (or close to that).

This is helpful. I have a Hughes Engine Roller in my 440 (Challenger). Didn't think of them for the small block...
Thanks

'68 PW weighs north of 4000 lb, lot of truck for the engine to pull around.
Your stock cam has something like 178 intake duration at 60 and .378 lift. It'ws really small.
Even a stock 360 cam, which is something like 199 at 50 and .4 01 lift would be better.
Years ago Comp made a Magnum series cam that was 204/204 .425/.425 on a 110 LSA which I think would be perfect. I believe it was 252 degrees advertised duration.

Smallest Voodoo cam or get with Hughes. I wouldn't go over 209 intake duration and try to keep the LSA tight for more midrange.

I wouldn't have guessed that 0.441" valve lift would cause problems, but the stock springs are pretty wimpy.

A set os stock springs from a 302 head 318 roller motor would be a step up. I don't know about coil bind, but they are noticeably stiffer than flat tappet 318.

I've got a used set I'd give you for the postage.

R.

You should be able to buy "Stock replacement" 340 or 360 HP springs and run that cam just fine.

88d150 stock bottom end,302 heads ported with 188/160 valves comp 901-16 springs,just installed 1.6 roller rockers.
Comp roller 480/480 cam 4 degrees advanced.
Plus what you see.
Runs awesome,idles almost smooth,fires right up,will smoke them at will.
Depending on your budget and goals,cam and heads(the 302s are a good improvement even stock as they are closed chambered)are one of your best investments.