Can anyone guide me to a source for an LS5 camshaft ? part number is 3904359
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Re: 1970 LS5 camshaft
I believe that Crane has the specs to repop ANY Chev. factory camshaft. Some of their factoids on correctness are incorrect (phone tech guy insisted to me that L71/L72 camshaft was the SAME as the first design L88, and he AND another old car "expert" who he got on the line for backup further insisted that the L88 was in fact the 435 instead of 430.
Anyway........... since you've got the GM part number you want there shouldn't be any controversy, and I've always thought that Crane's blueprinted factory cams were probably a lot more accurate to factory specs than mass produced ones bought by GM from any one of several different vendors. -
Re: 1970 LS5 camshaft
Shaun,
I believe that the 70 LS5 is the same cam as a 69 L36 so if this is true, this is the cam you want.
It's the exact one that I bought for my L36. Oh and by the way, Crane Cams will not sell to the public so you have to go through a source like Summit, Jeg's or your local speed shop.
GregComment
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Re: 1970 LS5 camshaft
Why cant you just buy a 454 hyd.lifter cam. When NCRS starts tearing down engins like NASCR I'm done.65 350 TI CONV 67 J56 435 CONV,67,390/AIR CONV,70 454/air CONV,
What A MAN WON'T SPEND TO GIVE HIS ASS A RIDEComment
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Re: 1970 LS5 camshaft
Greg, when I was discussing LS7 & L88 camshafts with Crane on their tech line several weeks ago I got the impression that if I ordered it they'd ship it right to my door. I've bought their cams for years, usually through a supplier, but at least it's easy to call them and get the right changeover from GM part number (again, I DO NOT trust them with application information).
As far as the LS5/L36 correctness I don't know, but to me it's easier to buy the right stuff, or at least targeted stuff, rather than off the shelf camshafts. It's not so much a matter of NCRS being able to detect the difference, but making sure the replacement part is at least equal to OEM specs, which may or may not be the case with a generic. When I did my '70 LS5 roadster a while back Crane gave me a number for a camshaft upgrade that would idle as stock but have a lot bigger mid range hit, which it does. That car will haze the tires all the way through first gear from a roll, which none of my other big blocks will do.Comment
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Re: 1970 LS5 camshaft
The lobes and indexing are the same for L-36/68 and LS5 through 1972, however, the '66 camshaft has the rear journal groove. The '67-up version does not, which is why there are two OE part numbers with the same lobes specs.
This is a good cam and I recommend its use when rebuilding these engines. I'm not sure whether the Crane reproduction has a rear journal groove or not. I suspect is does not, but you should verify with Crane.
The optional 454 engine code changed to LS4 in 1973, and that engine used a different camshaft, but I was unabale to find the detailed engineering data as I have for all the other vintage OE camshafts. My suspicion is that overlap was increased to help control NOx, which would have reduced idle quality, low end torque, and fuel economy. The first year for federal NOx tailpipe standards was 1973; 1971 for cars sold in California.
DukeComment
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Re: 1970 LS5 camshaft
Norris-----
You can purchase any cam which Crane makes directly from them. That's the good news. The bad news is that if you do, you usually have to pay full list price for it. You can purchase the same part number from one of their dealers (like Summit, for example) for a lot less. Of course, if you want to go the custom camshaft route, a direct purchase is the only feasible way.
I don't know if the Crane reproduction of the L-34/L-36/LS-5 camshaft has the rear journal groove, or not. If it does and if you want one without the groove (as was used for all 67+ big blocks), that might require a custom order. I don't know.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1970 LS5 camshaft
shaun-----
If you want an original GM #3904359 you'll have to find an NOS source. This camshaft is GM-discontinued although it was actually discontinued not very long ago.
If a reproduction will suffice, order a Crane #969391. However, I believe this camshaft has the rear journal groove for 1965-66 big blocks. You could check with Crane on getting one without. I recommend using a cam WITHOUT the groove for 1967 and later big blocks.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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Re: 1970 LS5 camshaft
Joe, what's the downside to running a grooved camshaft in a later engine?Comment
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Re: 1970 LS5 camshaft
Norris,
Downside is no oil pressure.
I rebuilt my 71 LS5 last summer and used the Crane 969391 cam. It does not have the rear groove and provides a smooth idle while providing good power, just like the original.
TomComment
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Re: 1970 LS5 camshaft
Here is a pic of the 969391 rear journal.
Joe maybe I'm wrong about Crame not selling to the public.... I know that I called them up with the intent to purchase right then and there and then ended up getting it from the local speed shop. I thought it was because they wouldn't sell to me but maybe it was because it was cheaper to go through a vendor. I can't believe I can't remember because it was only a couple months ago...maybe I'm losing it!Comment
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Re: 1970 LS5 camshaft
Greg------
I'm glad to see that Crane has finally eliminated the rear journal groove on this cam. The vast majority of big blocks don't need this groove. Those few that do (65-66 engines and how many of those are still around?) can just have the groove machined into the journal.
As far as Crane selling direct goes, as far as I know they will sell direct unless something has changed recently. However, as I mentioned, if you buy from them you have to pay full list because they don't want to be in competition with their dealers. The last time I asked about buying direct, they told me that they would but I'd be better off price-wise buying from one of their dealers. The price difference is often VERY large.In Appreciation of John HinckleyComment
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