Small Block Cams

[G B.]

Good cam choice.

Joe is right; your cam is not very radical at all. In fact, it sounds like the 327/350hp hydraulic cam that GM used in the late sixties. I am running that cam in my 4,500 lb. truck right now, and it has an automatic transmission, 2.87 rear, and air. My guess is that you have ignition and/or fuel delivery problems. Did these systems work fine before the rebuild?

Make sure your accelerator pump squirter is working right. You may also need more timing advance. I run about 8 degrees BTDC. You will get a much smoother idle if you install a distributor with a vacuum advance. Make sure you get a low vacuum canister like the Standard Ignition #B-28. Definitely try a new ignition coil; yours may be weak (I know you didn't wire it backwards).

If you were near, I'd loan you a good intake and ignition system to try. I'll bet that you don't need to go into the engine to effect a cure.

[G B.]

Good cam choice.

Joe is right; your cam is not very radical at all. In fact, it sounds like the 327/350hp hydraulic cam that GM used in the late sixties. I am running that cam in my 4,500 lb. truck right now, and it has an automatic transmission, 2.87 rear, and air. My guess is that you have ignition and/or fuel delivery problems. Did these systems work fine before the rebuild?

Make sure your accelerator pump squirter is working right. You may also need more timing advance. I run about 8 degrees BTDC. You will get a much smoother idle if you install a distributor with a vacuum advance. Make sure you get a low vacuum canister like the Standard Ignition #B-28. Definitely try a new ignition coil; yours may be weak (I know you didn't wire it backwards).

If you were near, I'd loan you a good intake and ignition system to try. I'll bet that you don't need to go into the engine to effect a cure.

[Larry Allen]

Re: Okay, I'll bite.

Thanks Joe, you've been a big help. I wish they had this discussion board when I was restoring this car (7 years total). This a great help.

[Larry Allen]

Re: Okay, I'll bite.

Thanks Joe, you've been a big help. I wish they had this discussion board when I was restoring this car (7 years total). This a great help.

[Larry Allen]

Re: Good cam choice.

Jerry, thanks for the advice. Yes, I also am thinking ignition and fuel. The engine ran when I tore it down to restore the car. In the restoration I replaced the carb and dist. that the past owner had put on for economy. She had kept the dual carbs and original ign. system stored for several years. I rebuilt everything and finished the engine as original but it hasn't ran right since. Now that I have some assurance that the cam is not the cause I feel certain it's the ign. system.

Any hints as to what distibutor to put in this car?

[Larry Allen]

Re: Good cam choice.

Jerry, thanks for the advice. Yes, I also am thinking ignition and fuel. The engine ran when I tore it down to restore the car. In the restoration I replaced the carb and dist. that the past owner had put on for economy. She had kept the dual carbs and original ign. system stored for several years. I rebuilt everything and finished the engine as original but it hasn't ran right since. Now that I have some assurance that the cam is not the cause I feel certain it's the ign. system.

Any hints as to what distibutor to put in this car?

[G B.]

Simple is good

Personally, I like to keep things simple. I would just install a $5 swap meet distributor from a sixties passenger car. You know, the kind with externally adjustable points and a vacuum advance. Maybe that's the kind the previous owner had in the engine when you got the car. These distributors will easily rev to 5,500. That should be plenty to ruin a set of tires.

Don't forget to install a new coil and a low vacuum canister. Also, please make sure your carburetor accelerator pumps are working.

[G B.]

Simple is good

Personally, I like to keep things simple. I would just install a $5 swap meet distributor from a sixties passenger car. You know, the kind with externally adjustable points and a vacuum advance. Maybe that's the kind the previous owner had in the engine when you got the car. These distributors will easily rev to 5,500. That should be plenty to ruin a set of tires.

Don't forget to install a new coil and a low vacuum canister. Also, please make sure your carburetor accelerator pumps are working.