Largest Cam For Stock Springs

Posted By: MoparMuscle

Largest Cam For Stock Springs - 07/23/09 12:10 AM

I've still got a lot of deciding to do on the big motor for the Daytona. But I want to get it going so I can drive it around some now.

I have a 440 that I took out of a motorhome that only has 59,000 miles on it. I decided to pop it in there for now but I do want it to at least sound like it has something more than just bone stock.

I'm going to put an aluminum intake, Holley carb, aluminum valve covers and a chrome timing cover on it. Since I'll have the timing cover and valve covers off it will be easy to go ahead and change the cam.

I also have a set of Crane iron rockers so the cam could be solid or hydraulic. What do you think is the biggest I can get away with?

I also am thinking about using the converter out of the motorhome or should I leave the 8" in.

Posted By: Bob_Coomer

Re: Largest Cam For Stock Springs - 07/23/09 12:24 AM

484 purple shaft

Posted By: MoparforLife

Re: Largest Cam For Stock Springs - 07/23/09 12:34 AM

Get any more than that you better start doing some measuring. There is no cut and dried answer but each combo should be checked for sure. Maske sure to check the guide/seal to retainer clearance too, it needs to have the same free travel (IMO a very minimum of .060) at full valve lift as teh valve springs.

Posted By: formula S

Re: Largest Cam For Stock Springs - 07/23/09 12:42 AM

Quote:

I've still got a lot of deciding to do on the big motor for the Daytona. But I want to get it going so I can drive it around some now.

I have a 440 that I took out of a motorhome that only has 59,000 miles on it. I decided to pop it in there for now but I do want it to at least sound like it has something more than just bone stock.

I'm going to put an aluminum intake, Holley carb, aluminum valve covers and a chrome timing cover on it. Since I'll have the timing cover and valve covers off it will be easy to go ahead and change the cam.

I also have a set of Crane iron rockers so the cam could be solid or hydraulic. What do you think is the biggest I can get away with?

I also am thinking about using the converter out of the motorhome or should I leave the 8" in.

Better make sure their is enough room for the valve seal. I ran into this problem with a 484 cam with stock unmodified heads. The valve stem bosses had to be cut down, and if you go that far, you might as well change the springs to at least stock 440 magnum springs, wich is a single spring w/damper. Your motorhome springs are just a single spring no damper, and may not like that much lift, or rpm that cam will produce.

Posted By: formula S

Re: Largest Cam For Stock Springs - 07/23/09 12:44 AM

Quote:

Gwet any more than that you better start doing some measuring. There is no cut and dried answer but each combo should be checked for sure. Maske sure to check the guide/seal to retainer clearance too, it needs to have the same free travel (IMO a very minimum of .060) at full valve lift as teh valve springs.

You beat me to it

Posted By: solidcam

Re: Largest Cam For Stock Springs - 07/23/09 01:27 AM

Your motorhome heads may even have the exhaust rotator springs and retainers(which do not like any enhanced performance upgrading).With the amount of top-end removal you are looking at I would just pull the heads and go-over them.If your guide wear isn't bad you should be able for relatively low-bucks throw in some good springs,locks, retainers and seals.Measure retainer/guide clearance and if you have the adjustable rockers already definately look at a solid cam.

Posted By: MoparMuscle

Re: Largest Cam For Stock Springs - 07/23/09 01:45 AM

Yes, unfortunately it does have the rotators. Looks like I might as well pull the heads and change the springs and retainers.

I have a small roller that sounds really sweet

.555I .564E 244-254. I can't remember how far down in the hole the pistons are on the motorhome engine. What are the chances it will have enough piston to valve clearance?

Posted By: DaytonaTurbo

Re: Largest Cam For Stock Springs - 07/23/09 01:56 AM

If it's a 73+ 440, pistons should be around .15-.16 in the hole +/- for machining tolerances. Not sure how much valve lift you can get away with, but with pistons that far in the hole I suspect you can run a fairly big cam before it becomes an issue, but better to check it than to be sorry.