old Purple shaft identification

Im going through Dads old 440 from his charger, Im trying to identify the cam, ZERO markings on it, but the entire shaft is purple, and there is a single yellowish/white stripe on the butt end of it.

I dont know how to measure it to spec it out, I cant remember from college how to do so, that was like 20 years ago LOL


any info is appreciated...

The very oldest ones like yours really need to be measured.

The paint dot/stripe markings on them, although documented by Mopar many years ago (never
published publicly) have been proven wrong time and time again. By the time I came across the 6th or 7th
one that had specs that didn't match the paint codes, that was enough for me.

Later ones have engraved markings and are easier.

The easiest way to do it is put it back in the motor, with one lifter set up a degree wheel and an indicator,
and measure lift and duration.

Excellent info

Thank you

Usually just knowing the lift is all you need to figure out what you have, since they all have different lifts.

Just throw a dial caliper on the lobe...measure the base circle and then the top of the lobe. Subtract the base from the lobe, then multiply by 1.5 = lift.

How can you distinguish between a hydraulic cam and a solid cam. I have a couple purple shaft small block cams I plotted out in a old block that I would like to sell then moved on to another project I never finished

Like Dwayne said...if you could figure the lift on it, it'd be pretty easy to determine which cam it was.
As for looking at a cam and telling if it was a solid or hydraulic...I dunno. I'm sure some may know a way, but I don't.

Once you determine the lift, you'll know whether its a solid or juice cam. Measure across the nose of the lobe, then the base circle. Multiply the difference by 1.5. Every purple shaft grind has a different lift, so just match the numbers and you'll be golden.