383 chevy camel heads
03-22-2010, 06:10 PM
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Re: 383 chevy camel heads
going to use it on the street, have not decided the converter yet (th700).. around 10:1 with those heads. I want to use those heads, becouse i got them for free.. so a high torqe engine would have been nice!
I dont know if i am going roller, or solid..
cam with long or short duration? need new vavle springs, retainers,camshaft, lifters, pushrods,rocker arms also.. max rpm around 6500..
I dont know if i am going roller, or solid..
cam with long or short duration? need new vavle springs, retainers,camshaft, lifters, pushrods,rocker arms also.. max rpm around 6500..
03-22-2010, 06:58 PM
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Car: 82 Berlinetta/57 Bel Air
Engine: LS1/LQ4
Transmission: 4L60E/4L80E
Axle/Gears: 12B-3.73/9"-3.89
What are the head casting #'s?
There is about a 90% chance you'd be better off selling those heads to someone looking for an old-school restoration and buying something better. Even a simple set of Vortecs.
There is about a 90% chance you'd be better off selling those heads to someone looking for an old-school restoration and buying something better. Even a simple set of Vortecs.
03-22-2010, 08:49 PM
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Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
Re: 383 chevy camel heads
I'd also suggest new aftermarket heads.
Can't recommend a camshaft without knowing what the car is going to be used for. Also can't recommend a camshaft without knowing the limits of the heads.
Factory small diameter springs, valve guide height, spring install height etc can all limit how much cam can be used.
I ran heavily worked over and modified camel heads on my 383 10+ years ago.Got the car into the high 11's before blowing up the engine. For what it was worth to put all the work into the old heads, it would have been cheaper to just buy aftermarket heads which will be better right out of the box. Even aluminum heads are becoming very affordable.
40 years ago camel heads were a hot item because there was little in the aftermarket and what was available, was expensive. Times have changed. Trouble is, all the SBC build up books haven't. Ignore the old technology stuff. There's far better ways to make power now.
Can't recommend a camshaft without knowing what the car is going to be used for. Also can't recommend a camshaft without knowing the limits of the heads.
Factory small diameter springs, valve guide height, spring install height etc can all limit how much cam can be used.
I ran heavily worked over and modified camel heads on my 383 10+ years ago.Got the car into the high 11's before blowing up the engine. For what it was worth to put all the work into the old heads, it would have been cheaper to just buy aftermarket heads which will be better right out of the box. Even aluminum heads are becoming very affordable.
40 years ago camel heads were a hot item because there was little in the aftermarket and what was available, was expensive. Times have changed. Trouble is, all the SBC build up books haven't. Ignore the old technology stuff. There's far better ways to make power now.
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