Print Page | Close Window

AMC Camshafts

Printed From: TheAMCForum.com
Category: The Garage
Forum Name: AMC V8 Engine Repair and Modifications
Forum Description: AMC-made V8 engine mechanical, ignition and fuel from basic repair to high-perf modifications
URL: https://theamcforum.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=39563
Printed Date: Mar/28/2024 at 4:06am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com


Topic: AMC Camshafts
Posted By: 6PakBee
Subject: AMC Camshafts
Date Posted: May/13/2012 at 8:09pm
I'm going to start looking at camshafts.  Who are the current top suppliers for a street, flat tappet, hydraulic camshaft? 

-------------
Roger Gazur
1969 'B' Scheme SC/Rambler
1970 RWB 4-spd Machine
1970 Sonic Silver auto AMX

All project cars.

Forum Cockroach



Replies:
Posted By: amx39068
Date Posted: May/13/2012 at 8:48pm
custom or off the shelf?

-------------
Dan Curtis-Owner and CEO AZ AMC Restorations; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amcmusclecars/ & Curtis Real Estate Development


Posted By: SC397
Date Posted: May/13/2012 at 8:49pm
OK, I will be the first............
My first choice would be Isky.  You can call them and actually talk to Ron Iskenderian who seems like a level headed guy who won't baffle you with BS.  CompCam is a big name but I have not had a stellar relationship with those guys.  I have had a heck of a time installing Comp cams because of over sized cam journals.  #4 cam bearing is always too tight on a Comp Cam in combination with DUR-A-Bond cam bearings requiring a little sanding with emery cloth to get the two to match up.  I don't know who makes Summit cams but I have had the same issue with those.  I have had no problems with Lunati, Crower, Elgin, or the generic Perfect Circle, Melling etc.   I just had a cam reground at Bullet and am pretty impressed so far with those guys.  Similar to Isky, you call them up, talk with them and they seem to know what they are doing.  I hope that this helps..    


Posted By: 73hornut
Date Posted: May/13/2012 at 9:04pm
Originally posted by SC397 SC397 wrote:

  I have had a heck of a time installing Comp cams because of over sized cam journals.  #4 cam bearing is always too tight on a Comp Cam in combination with DUR-A-Bond cam bearings requiring a little sanding with emery cloth to get the two to match up.
I ran into this with mine, real tough to turn by hand. Did you sand the bearing or the cam journal? Will it spin the bearing, or just wear in if I leave it? Jim


-------------
71 Javelin
74 Gremlin
79 Spirit AMX
Rogue Valley Rumblers
Like Us on FB
https://www.facebook.com/groups/1602825606650796" rel="nofollow - https://www.facebook.com/groups/1602825606650796


Posted By: SC397
Date Posted: May/13/2012 at 9:51pm
I REALLY didn't like doing either but, I sanded both the journal and a little it on the bearing still installed in the block.  I used lubed up 600 grit on both.   If I can turn the cam with a rag wrapped around the timing gear by hand I let it go.  When I start sticking the piston and rod assemblies in I crank the rotating assembly over like 6-10 times with each piston.  By the time I get all 8 pistons in, the effort it takes to turn the assembly over seems OK.  I haven't had a cam bearing spin yet under these conditions.  


Posted By: amx39068
Date Posted: May/13/2012 at 11:07pm
So far I have not had that experience with Comp Cams but have only use their cams a handful of times on nearly 50 engines. Split Cams seem to work really well in AMCs and comp only has a couple of split profiles for our engines. Plus they are mass production and I prefer to use the guys who grind their own for a custom build. If on a budget build then it is Summit brand cams for the best bang for the buck compared to all other options.

-------------
Dan Curtis-Owner and CEO AZ AMC Restorations; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amcmusclecars/ & Curtis Real Estate Development


Posted By: 390spirit
Date Posted: May/14/2012 at 4:34am
Reed Cams from American Performance Products in Fla.


Posted By: 6PakBee
Date Posted: May/14/2012 at 5:29am
Originally posted by amx39068 amx39068 wrote:

custom or off the shelf?


Off the shelf, I'm not smart enough for anything custom.


-------------
Roger Gazur
1969 'B' Scheme SC/Rambler
1970 RWB 4-spd Machine
1970 Sonic Silver auto AMX

All project cars.

Forum Cockroach


Posted By: amx39068
Date Posted: May/14/2012 at 11:05am
Lunati, Isky and Elgin have some real nice off the shelf AMC cams very similar to the group 19 cam. I've used the Elgin 910PK (K stands for "Kit" with both cam and lifters)many times and it is a very nice cam for a mildly built AMC.

Crower can also work with you and design a custom grind for you engine simply by your telling them what bore, stroke, compression and head flow you will have on the engine and what your desired characteristics of the cam are. I am sure Lunati and Isky will do the same.

If you offer up your specs and intended use, I am sure a couple of us can give you a variety of good recommendations.

-------------
Dan Curtis-Owner and CEO AZ AMC Restorations; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amcmusclecars/ & Curtis Real Estate Development


Posted By: 6PakBee
Date Posted: May/14/2012 at 11:57am
Thanks Dan,
 
I have to wade through the static vs dynamic compression ratio discussion first.  I'm trying to get an engine with as much bang for the buck as possible on 87 octane gas.  In ND it's 75-100 miles to anywhere and gas is not going to get cheaper.


-------------
Roger Gazur
1969 'B' Scheme SC/Rambler
1970 RWB 4-spd Machine
1970 Sonic Silver auto AMX

All project cars.

Forum Cockroach


Posted By: amx39068
Date Posted: May/14/2012 at 12:06pm
As we discussed elsewhere, it all depends on your base engine configuration. If you are going in with the later model 401 soup dish pistons design then static and dynamic can be a lot closer that if you decide to go with higher compression pistons. Likewise, there are other things such as the squish (quench) characteristics, deck clearance and other design characteristics that will make dynamic compression more relevant.

-------------
Dan Curtis-Owner and CEO AZ AMC Restorations; Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amcmusclecars/ & Curtis Real Estate Development


Posted By: amxess
Date Posted: May/14/2012 at 3:26pm
Engle cams has a good selection for AMC's.


Posted By: SKeown
Date Posted: May/14/2012 at 4:40pm
 
 Bullet Cams has both their and Ultradyne lobes which ammount to hundreds. If you call Bullet and ask for Tim he will produce a cam specific for you're particuliar wants and needs. It won't cost much if any more than a generic off the shelf cam. Another thing I like about them is most lobes are designed around Chevy or Ford lifter and base circle dimensions, they use a computerized grinder that transferes the cam to our specs. All of their cams are made to order and usually arrive in about a week. Tim worked with Harold Brookshire for 30 years, Harold (formally Ultradyne Cams) is in my opinion the foremost cam designer on the planet. He's responsible for Comp's high energy and Lunati's Voodoo profiles to name a couple.
 
 SKeown


Posted By: 6PakBee
Date Posted: May/14/2012 at 6:30pm
Thanks for all the help guys.  Thumbs Up  I have to do some homework now.  

-------------
Roger Gazur
1969 'B' Scheme SC/Rambler
1970 RWB 4-spd Machine
1970 Sonic Silver auto AMX

All project cars.

Forum Cockroach


Posted By: 440sixpack
Date Posted: May/14/2012 at 11:30pm
The brand is not as important as the grind, most of the blanks all come frome the same source.
 
For a nice street engine that sounds cool I like the Isky or Comp 270 grind.   if you're more concerned with fuel economy you need to stay stock or near stock.



Print Page | Close Window

Forum Software by Web Wiz Forums® version 12.03 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Copyright ©2001-2019 Web Wiz Ltd. - https://www.webwiz.net