Posted By: kentj340
What Cam? Get a Roller Hydraulic for Restoring Oldie? - 09/08/11 07:40 PM
Check out the “Ask Ray” tech column in the Oct ’11 issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines. Ray Bohacz says he would not rebuild an engine, even a restoration, with a flat-tappet cam.
“I would suggest to all readers who are considering an engine rebuild to move up to one of the many new roller hydraulic cams offered for older engines. They make power like a freight train, idle slow and smooth with excellent vacuum, and remove all of the concerns about zinc in the oil… Roller hydraulic is the way to go” for street/strip or just street.
He makes specific suggestions on what performance criteria you need to address when buying a cam, especially for street driving.
Roller hydraulic in an otherwise stock engine using pump gas is a new idea for me. Hey, maybe I can get 340 hp out of my 340 4–barrel restoration with stock intake and exhaust for street? Or more???
Has anyone used a roller hydraulic in a 340 4-speed with factory intake and exhaust? How did you like it? Was the cost worth it? Did you need new rockers? Any lubrication issues with the tappets?
Looks like the cost is around $1,000 for cam, tappets, and springs from Comp Cams. 20% more from Crane. Recommended idle speed is 800 rpm instead of Mopar 700 rpm in shop manual, which sounds tolerable.
“I would suggest to all readers who are considering an engine rebuild to move up to one of the many new roller hydraulic cams offered for older engines. They make power like a freight train, idle slow and smooth with excellent vacuum, and remove all of the concerns about zinc in the oil… Roller hydraulic is the way to go” for street/strip or just street.
He makes specific suggestions on what performance criteria you need to address when buying a cam, especially for street driving.
Roller hydraulic in an otherwise stock engine using pump gas is a new idea for me. Hey, maybe I can get 340 hp out of my 340 4–barrel restoration with stock intake and exhaust for street? Or more???
Has anyone used a roller hydraulic in a 340 4-speed with factory intake and exhaust? How did you like it? Was the cost worth it? Did you need new rockers? Any lubrication issues with the tappets?
Looks like the cost is around $1,000 for cam, tappets, and springs from Comp Cams. 20% more from Crane. Recommended idle speed is 800 rpm instead of Mopar 700 rpm in shop manual, which sounds tolerable.