Crane cam Or Elgin cam? 66 427/425

[William B.]

In talking with Joe lucia, I decieded to use a crane #969961 in my 66 427/425 during rebuild. Problem now is my engine machinist wants me to use a Elgin cam, he claims it is just as good and lower price. Has anyone used elgin, I like to use better known name brands and want to convince him we use the Crane cam without making him mad. Can anyone give me some facts or should I just agree with him?

[Duke W.]

Re: Crane cam Or Elgin cam? 66 427/425

If the guy won't do it your way you better find a new machinist. Seems to me if you're paying someone for a service you ought to get what you want, but maybe that's just old fashioned thinking.

Remember the story about why the 12-mile '67 L-88 lost its original block. The machine shop said: "We deck 'em all".

Duke

[Michael H.]

Re: Crane cam Or Elgin cam? 66 427/425

I agree 100% with the Duke. My first choice would definitely be the Crane cam. It's a LONG way back into that motor if you have to change the cam again later. I sure wouldn't want to gamble on a part that's just a few dollars cheaper.

[William B.]

Re: Crane cam Or Elgin cam? 66 427/425

I have not used that many engine parts, but never heard of elgin. Is it a good name brand or am I right sticking with Crane?

[Michael H.]

Re: Crane cam Or Elgin cam? 66 427/425

Stick with the recommendations of Joe and Duke. They've been around the block a few times and wouldn't have recommended Crane if there was a better/cheaper cam. Elgin is on the west coast somewhere and has been in making cams for a long time but they never really hit the target. Just my opinion.

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Re: Crane cam Or Elgin cam? 66 427/425

Would this Crane camshaft be correct for a '65 396/425?

[Michael H.]

Re: Crane cam Or Elgin cam? 66 427/425

Mark,

Yes, the 969961 Crane cam is an exact blueprint copy of the original 3863143 GM cam that was used in 65-66 425 HP BB's, and also used for service for 67 and later. (but that's a whole nuther story) The only difference between OEM and the Crane is the fact that the Crane will have ben ground more accurately and be a lot closer to OE specs.

[Joe L.]

Re: Crane cam Or Elgin cam? 66 427/425

Bill-------

Elgin has been around for a long time. However, rightly or wrongly, I've always considered them to be a "budget parts source". It is a common brand used by rebuilders of "grocery getter" street engines. I consider them about "on par" with a brand like Pioneer that specializes in stock rebuild type parts for the "mass rebuild market". Incidentally, Crane also has a "rebuilder parts line" called Wolverine. I assume that Crane makes the camshafts that they sell under the Wolverine brand somewhat differently than those they sell under their Crane brand. Perhaps not, but I expect so.

In any event, a Crane 969961 sells for about 100 bucks from Summit and others. How much cheaper could an Elgin be?

I'd go with the Crane or the Federal-Mogul.

[Scott Marzahl]

Elgin states they are an OEM supplier

Elgin website http://www.elginind.com/engine.htm located in Illionis, claim to be an OEM supplier.

Michael, I think you are thinking of Engle Cams in Santa Monica, CA. A great quality cam grinder, Traco used to use them in their race engines.

I bet that machinist gets a discount on Elgin parts and makes a couple extra bucks that way. I would vote for the Crane Blueprinted series cam myself.

[Norris W.]

Re: Crane cam Or Elgin cam? 66 427/425

I've probably bought a dozen Crane blueprinted Chevy cams over the years and have never had a problem. They have all of em in their data base. I've bought the one for my 340 and 360 horse 327's, and also the 365 and 350 horse cams as well as both the smaller solid lifter big block (427/425,435, 396/375, etc) and both early and late style L88 cams. I can't begin to remember the part numbers on any of em, but in each case I've used em personally in my stuff and they've been great.

Only thing I can find wrong is that Crane has followed the GM performance parts catalogue by listing the L88 as 435 horse which is confusing to some people (and of course incorrect) Otherwise I give em an A+.

[Michael H.]

Re: Elgin states they are an OEM supplier

I thought Elgin cams was in CA but could be they were/are in Illinois. They definitely weren't popular years ago anf I don't think they are today.

I used Engle TR59 and TR60 roller cams in the early 70's. Good cams.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Elgin states they are an OEM supplier

I used an Elgin cam in rebuilding my Dad's 72. Joe L is correct in that they are a budget part sold to/through engine rebuilders.

I would not use them in a "real" motor. Dads is NOM so if it blows up, the motor gets swapped anyway.

Patrick

[frank mccracken]

Re: Crane cam Or Elgin cam? 66 427/425

In my years as a parts person I sold many "Elgin" products. "Jobber parts". They always seem to perform as promised quality wise. My question always has been about the acuracy of the cam grinds etc. As with many things there can be much "smoke and mirrors". It would not suprise me one bit that "Wolverine" cams are the same items that go into "Crane" boxes. Their way of covering both high end and lower price markets. Very often the inventory is lower on the lower end part # so they can try and up sell you the "Better" component.
Someone has to pay for the extensive Crane advertising campaigns. Many rebuild shop that buy "Jobber parts" direct can sell cam and lifter kits for $100. including gaskets. Many times these same jobber parts manufacturers are the same that produce oem engine parts.
Many years ago I was told by a TRW engine part rep that there was only one lifter plant in the world, they made all lifters for all the oem and aftermaket, except one specialty comany, Crane maybe? That has probably changed by now.
I think that you would be assured of top quality in a Crane box but I am not sure that you would not be getting an equal product in another brand for 1/3 the price.

[Wayne K.]

Elgin was also an old watch company in IL.

The National Watch Co, better known as the Elgin Watch Company, was formed in August 1864. The factory site was in Elgin, Illinois, where the
city had donated 35 acres (142,000 m²) of land. The factory was completed in 1866 and the first movement was a B.W. Raymond, 18 size, full
plate design. The company closed in 1964, after having produced half of the total number of pocket watches manufactured in U.S.A. (dollar-type
not included).

[Duke W.]

Re: Crane cam Or Elgin cam? 66 427/425

Hey, I had nothing to do with the grind recommendation. Bill worked that out with Joe, and if the recommendation is a BB SHP clone cam, then you'll see no argument from me.

The point I was trying to make is that you contract with a machinist to do machine and/or assembly work, not necessarily system engineering. Bill and Joe did the system engineering and came up with a specific vendor and part number.

If the machine shop wants to install something else, find another machine shop. The machine shop is supposed to make the customer happy - that's what you're paying for. If you think you have to go with the machine shop's recommendation to make them "happy" you're crazy and are looking for trouble.

As far as which SHP cam clone is better - Elgin or Crane - I have no idea, but if Bill and Joe picked the Crane the machine shop ought to "just do it" (unless they have a damned good reason not to) or you should find another shop that will build to the customer's well thought out specifications.

Duke