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Which Cam for my AMC 390?

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grparen View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote grparen Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Which Cam for my AMC 390?
    Posted: Jul/23/2015 at 11:30am
I'm rebuilding my '69 390 motor and need a Cam recommendation. I am going with stock heads and stock intake and probably stock exhaust manifolds though considering headers. Compression will be near stock at 10.2. I want more of a performance cam with an aggressive lope. It is going in an SC/Rambler with power disc brakes. I want street manners but want that aggressive sound. Appreciate your suggestions.
Gary Parente
1969 S/C Rambler B Scheme
1964 American 330 2 Dr Sedan
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Boris Badanov View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Boris Badanov Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/23/2015 at 11:54am
You want a hyd flat tappet cam around 280 advertized duration and .500 lift.

I like bad mannered neck breakers so I tend to be a bad influence..... Wink
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote BDCVG Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/23/2015 at 12:05pm
10.2 with stock heads is gonna mean av-gas.
1970 AMX 390 5 spd full Control Freaks front and rear suspension
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Red Devil View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Red Devil Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/23/2015 at 12:14pm
... if you're more after sound than best street performance or economy and sticking with stock heads, intake, exhaust and 10.2 compression, suggest a Comp Thumpr. It has more exhaust overlap and duration so will bleed some lower rpm compression, give you the lumpy sound and the other stock components will likely keep it from making too much cylinder pressure and detonating at higher rpm ... but wants more gear and converter than stock.

http://www.compcams.com/Thumpr/index.html

http://www.compcams.com/Company/CC/cam-specs/Details.aspx?csid=1447&sb=2

Hope this helps,RD.
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uncljohn View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote uncljohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/23/2015 at 12:21pm
A rule of thumb dating back to the era of he engine and still valid, is stay under .500 lift at the valve and the OEM Valve train is more than adequate to use with the cam of choice.
As to the 10.2 compression, whether it is usable or not depends on the availability of the octane of premium grade gasoline.
If the fuel is in the 93 to 95 octane rating range 10.2 on cast iron heads is a tunable range to be in. However If anything less expect a problem.
I have that engine in a 1970 Javelin with the fuel availability of 91 octane so I have chosen to use open chamber heads and drop the compression to a little over 9:1 and with a good tune 91 octane is quite usable and still meet the requirements that you are listing.
I prefer Iskenderian as cam source for a variety of reasons and am using the Iskenderian 270HL and it too meets the requirements you are asking for. It is only one of the 4 our so cams I have used from Iskenderian to build engines around and I have been satisfied with all of them. The latest engine is using a 270/280 Hydraulic flat tappet cam and is showing good signs as being tunable for the street.
Good luck with your project, between 2 engines I have put about 100,000 miles on them satisfactorily.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tached_out Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/23/2015 at 12:53pm
I had an Isky 270 in a 390 powered Gremlin only other non stock parts were a Torker and Headman headers. I ran 94 octane pump premium.

With 3.91 gears it ran mid 11s @ 118 mph. Car was 2,800 lbs with me in it.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote RAZER Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/23/2015 at 1:01pm
Isky 270 or 280.
If you like more sound at idle go with the 280.
Either one is a great cam.
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote raysinvegas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/23/2015 at 3:13pm
Originally posted by BDCVG BDCVG wrote:

10.2 with stock heads is gonna mean av-gas.
 
Nope. My SC/Rambler runs quite nicely with no detonation on 91 octane pump gas.Wink
Andy Ray
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote raysinvegas Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/23/2015 at 3:16pm
I've go the Summit 8600 in my SC/Rambler with an otherwise totally stock 390 long block. Running Eddy 850, R4B, and Hooker long tube headers. Nice bumpy idle and plenty of power, no mods to the valve train.
Andy Ray
64 440H
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68 Javelin SST 343
69 Javelin SST 343
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grparen View Drop Down
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Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote grparen Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jul/23/2015 at 5:27pm
Does the R4B intake work with the stock Scrambler ram air setup? Is that the best aftermarket intake for the Scrambler setup?
Gary Parente
1969 S/C Rambler B Scheme
1964 American 330 2 Dr Sedan
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