dgbcharger

Hey gearheads, want opinions on what cam I need to install in my engine before it gets rebuilt. I have a 72 Charger w/ a original 400 in it. Still runs good (a little sluggish on start up from a stoplight, probably needs alittle more fuel) but I'm restoring the car and might as well do the engine over. It has 102K miles on it. Originally had a 2 barrel from the factory. Previous owner put an 750 Edelbrock carb on it with a Edelbrock Performer RPM intake, super comp hooker headers and dual flowmasters, but he didnt change the cam. I would like to change it to a cam that works well with the existing carb/intake/exhaust setup. The car will NOT be raced on the strip. The rear end is only 2.45, but probably be changed at a later date. Tranny is a 727 Torqueflite and has already had a soft rebuild done to it with a new converter installed. I'm guessing a mild cam so I don't lose too much idle, I just don't know what the cam specs should be. I know it probably won't rumble like I want it to, but I don't want to sacrifice low end acceleration and torque. The flip side of the coin, since I'm going to change the rear end ratio at a later date, perhaps I should go with a more aggressive cam? Any ideas. Thanks DGB

Mr.4spd

Plenty of great choices out there, but the safest bet in my opinion is the stock 440 HP cam. This is a great street cam for a mild smaller displacement big block.

TVLynn

440HP would be a good choice, another slight upgrade would be a switch to 1.6 rocker arms or maybe a 6 pack cam.. Make sure to get the correct timing chain 6 pk as I remember has a 3 bolt cam setup.
Needs a gear change now rather than later. 2.45 may require changing the speedo drive housing when you do the swap

moe7404

IMHO the carb is close to being to big. but if you use the cam listed by TVLynn the 750 carb will be fine. just remember when tuning the carb change the the jets OR the rods NOT both at the same time. best to change the jets first, then the rods. remember a little is a lot. a change as small as .003 will make a change. and a .003 change on the jet is a bigger change than the same change an the rod. after a change give it a day or two to see if you like it. do NOT force the jet taking it out. if they in real tight there is a trick to get them out. and they dont need to be put in tight, just snug is fine.

Coronet 500

HP cam is a good choice, 6 barrel cam has too much duration for your compression.

Have a look at: http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/c...?csid=706&sb=2

RacerHog

I say to try Lunati 10210240 1000rpm-5000rpm
or
10210207 1200rpm-5200rpm

Great cams....
Just my 2 cents....

moe7404

hay racer if you keep giving your 2 cts a way. you will be broke soon. LOL

demetri

2.45. rear end. Are you sure? Did they really make such ratios back then? You get no real fuel economy with that, as your converter will be slipping like crazy most of the time. If you like high speed driving, I would go with a 2.76 or 2.94. If you wanted some city driving thrills and willing to sacrifice high speed smoothness and top speed, you can go to 3.23.

I have recently replaced the cam on my 68 440 (see 440 build for Imperial). I also got larger valves and mild porting, but retained manifolds. The cam I selected is 0.477 intake lift (stock 440 HP was .450) but total duration is identical to HP. I am just now doing the initial test driving, and low end torque seems fine. But your 400 8:1 compression may be a different story. But then again, you will go in the engine shortly, so you could replace the pistons for 10:1 or 10.5:1.

TVLynn

Make sure to use a zinc additive with the new cam

demetri

If you are saying that to me, yes, just replaced the 10w30 break in oil with 20w50 mineral plus ZDDP. That will stay there probably through the summer, and then back to my Mobil 1 ...

dgb charger, you may consider replacing these headers back to manifolds when you take the engine apart. I do not think the headers will do much under 4500-5000 rpm, other than being noisy and cook everything under the hood.

RacerHog

I would leave the headers.... Easier to breath at all rpms....

dgbcharger

Moe7470, Thanks for the info. I already have the next size up rods & springs from Edlbrock so I'll probably try them first but it's still a ways off. I'll order new jets any way. Thanks again. DGBcharger

dgbcharger

demertri, Yeah I'm sure, there is a metal tag on the cover plate bolt that says 2.45. Its an 8 1/4 rear end with 10 bolts. Thanks for the info.

dgbcharger

Racer if you go broke I'll loan you some more cents, thanks for the info.

dgbcharger

TVLynn, what ratio would you go to? Thanks for the info. DGBCharger

dgbcharger

Coronet 500, OK I know I'm stupid about cams, what does the HP stand for in yours and others gearheads responses?

RacerHog

See Moe... I have Friends....

Coronet 500

Repeating what Mr. 4spd said. HP = high performance, this camshaft came out in 1967 440 I believe. One of the best stock cams out there.

Comp Cams has a program called Camquest that can recommend cams with your input.
If you look at any of the cam suppliers they have loads of info on cam basics.

Just for giggles I ran your with the XE 262 H and came up with 331hp and 436tq.

moe7404

yep Bob you do have great friend here. i would like to think they are my friends to. i have been to some other sites. you will note i went to them but didnt stay there. this is one of the best sites i have seen.