The 068 camshaft is 212/225 @ .050
Much better grinds out there in todays World
Opinions on Pontiac cams
- Thread starter spidereyes455
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Much better grinds out there in todays World
I’m glad to see some Pontiac builds on this forum. V8 Pontiac power often times does not get the respect it deserves. So many Chevy and Oldsmobiles here.
I have had plenty of stock Pontiac engines. I was never unsatisfied with the cam. It took me a long time to realize that you needed a co-ordination of cam, intake, exhaust, and rear gears to achieve a winning combination. The biggest bang for the buck is rear end gears. Even a two barrel 350 will respond to better gears out back as if it grew a couple of cylinders. I once back-fitted a two barrel intake to a four barrel 301 because the 2:41 gears made the four barrel useless. I also had a '72 Catalina with a two barrel 400. It as a huge 2GC and it was the perfect combination for that big boat. Fit the punishment to the crime. So after wasting lots of time and dollars on engine modifications I now recommend starting at the rear. Try 3:23 gears first and if the engine responds well, then consider engine changes. My age may be showing but these days I prefer a smooth running Pontiac V-8 with a quiet exhaust and a manual transmission.
Mark, the car already has 3.23 gears and a 4 speed. I guess it would really boil down to where I can get the compression to. I think if I wind up with at least 9:1 the 068 or similar would work well. If it's less than 9 I'd probably be better off with a 066 or a summit 2800.
Well, Jim, you are set to go then. It just boils down to what kind of engine you want to suffer with. Like I said, the 068 was pretty obnoxious in a 400. A 350 would be worse. For my manual transmissions I prefer a high lift/short duration cam like my Crane HMV260. In my low compression 350 it felt fairly lumpy, but the idle vacuum was fine. It pulled very hard in my '68 Firebird, but was out of breath at 4500 rpm.
Disclaimer, I’ve not owned or built a 350 Pontiac engine but have had a couple 400 and 455s. Based on everything I have heard and read from Pontiac enthusiasts the 068 is a really good choice for a street 350 Pontiac and you can add 1.65 rocker arms to give it a little more lift. Or Summit makes a replica of the 068 cam ( SUM-2801 ) with some additional lift built in so you wouldn’t need the 1.65 rockers. It’s your choice but unless you are looking to build something that sounds really radical then something similar to the 068 would be ideal.
Here are the specs. Same lift. Way more duration. Which moves the rpm band. These applications are usually considered to be for 389/400's.
| Application | Stamp | Dur. | CL | 1.50:1 | 1.65:1 | O.L. | Dur. | CL | 1.50:1 | 1.65:1 | Part # |
| 1965-76 4bbl | P | 273 | 112 | .407" | .447" | 54 | 289 | 113 | .407" | .447" | 9779067 |
| 1965-72 HO | S | 288 | 113 | .407" | .447" | 63 | 302 | 119 | .407" | .447" | 9779068 |
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Jim you never mentioned what your FIL's game plan was. Is he wanting to street race or go cruising? When we ran the 068 in a 400 it was ferocious in a '68 Firebird. My buddy's hobby was popping wheelies up and down the street until the cops chased him. He always got away. The 066/067 had a smooth idle and never overheated. See these charts as the 067 and 068 cams were both used in various HO and Ram Air engines. ( The 066 and 067 are almost identical) The 041 is the very radical cam. My opinion is that the 067 is the more streetable cam and the 068 is the more raggedy cam. So I guess it is up to him to choose his poison. http://www.wallaceracing.com/engine1.htm See the engines and then check the cam specs. http://www.wallaceracing.com/camcode1.htm
I did a 400 as well.
Loved it.
.20 over.. cam was 1800-5600? I dont remember.. Thing was a beast. I'd love to build another one for the G-Body.
-Gonz
Mark, I know the specs of the factory cams pretty well on paper but am more looking for real world experience with different ones in a 350 since I've searched for endless hours online for info without coming up with much useful information. Most of what I did come up with was everyone saying ditch the 350 and build a 400 or 455.
As for the car he will just using it as a cruiser. But since it is MY car he is leaving those types of decisions up to me. He is just footing the bill so he can use it whenever he wants. But I wouldn't mind the car having a bit of an "attitude".
As for the car he will just using it as a cruiser. But since it is MY car he is leaving those types of decisions up to me. He is just footing the bill so he can use it whenever he wants. But I wouldn't mind the car having a bit of an "attitude".
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