solid to hydraulic cam?

Posted By: 70SWGR

solid to hydraulic cam? - 09/16/10 07:53 PM

When changing from a solid lifter cam to a hydraulic would you change the springs?Will the push rod length stay the same?
My son bought a '77 warlock 4x4 and we're planning on swapping out the 360 in the '70 dart to the truck.
The 360 has kb 107's,j-heads 202/160 with the factory adjustable rockers,LD 340 and the hughes solid cam.
I can't find the cam card but I think it was HE3844 and the duration was 238/244 @ .050 which I assume would be too wild for a truck.The springs also came from hughes and were matched to this cam.
Anybody know of a good cam with good power and torque for a 4x4 truck?

Posted By: MoparforLife

Re: solid to hydraulic cam? - 09/16/10 08:26 PM

Personally I would put it in and try it. The springs IMO will work for you. The push rods for a hydraulic cam are way shorter due to the lifter cup location. Are keeping the adjustable rockers???

Posted By: babarracuda

Re: solid to hydraulic cam? - 09/16/10 11:39 PM

Did you think about talking to Hughes?

Posted By: jr70swgr

Re: solid to hydraulic cam? - 09/17/10 02:55 AM

Im his son...

If we try that cam will it cause any problems with the power brakes due to the vacum????

Posted By: ahy

Re: solid to hydraulic cam? - 09/17/10 03:23 AM

Power brakes seem to do OK around 12" Hg vacuum and are really happy at 18+. From a previous post I remember idle vacuum was around 10-11" with the big cam. If that's right vacuum is the low side of marginal for PB... may work OK may not. One step smaller on the cam could make a difference on the PB

I also remember compression was reported at around 10.5. With a smaller cam, detonation may be a problem with a much smaller cam and pump gas.

I'd suggest trying the big cam engine as is or rebuilding the old one to truck specs... less compression and cam.

Posted By: 70SWGR

Re: solid to hydraulic cam? - 09/17/10 05:39 AM

Quote:

Did you think about talking to Hughes?

Already done that just wanted to hear opinions from members here.

Posted By: 64Post

Re: solid to hydraulic cam? - 09/17/10 03:50 PM

Quote:

Power brakes seem to do OK around 12" Hg vacuum and are really happy at 18+. From a previous post I remember idle vacuum was around 10-11" with the big cam. If that's right vacuum is the low side of marginal for PB... may work OK may not. One step smaller on the cam could make a difference on the PB

I also remember compression was reported at around 10.5. With a smaller cam, detonation may be a problem with a much smaller cam and pump gas.

I'd suggest trying the big cam engine as is or rebuilding the old one to truck specs... less compression and cam.

I'd tend to lean this way as well.

OP, what is your altitude? 10.5 compression at sea level isn't a problem at altitude, but your vacuum also suffers. You might want to do a cranking comp. test to see what you have.

Is the truck staying at altitude? I need more info...

Brian, I got your PM. There is a Mopar shop in Denver, but I'm not comfy recommending them. Most of the guys that need work farmed out use a guy that works out of his house/shop.

Posted By: 70SWGR

Re: solid to hydraulic cam? - 09/18/10 02:34 AM

My son lives east of Aurora but will be driving in the mountains plus use the truck for towing atv's,his friend has a cabin near grand lake.
Could you give me the phone number of the guy working out of his home/shop?

Do you know anything about the shop in Eaton,CO?

Thanks,
Brian

Posted By: 64Post

Re: solid to hydraulic cam? - 09/18/10 04:22 AM

Quote:

My son lives east of Aurora but will be driving in the mountains plus use the truck for towing atv's,his friend has a cabin near grand lake.
Could you give me the phone number of the guy working out of his home/shop?

Do you know anything about the shop in Eaton,CO?

Thanks,
Brian

Let me make a call or two. Louie can be tough to schedule at times. He's in Ken Caryl near Bandimere.

I think the guy in Eaton is John Wolfe. Feedback is about 50/50 from what I hear.