Will just another cam make a difference?

[Mr. Lee]

Hey guys, I have a 1972 440 engine in my 69 Charger, stamped code is H440.

Engine is mostly stock except for Edelbrock intake, Holley 750 carb vacuum secundaries, Comp timingset and a somewhat milder cam but I don't know the specs of the cam.

Engine is running fine en smooth but isn't extremely powerfull. I would love to buy me some RPM heads but the funds won't allow me. I have a pair of 69 HP exhaust manifolds that will be installed and I was wondering if I could increase the power just by installing another cam.

Thanks   

[John_Kunkel]

From my personal experience, cams don't do a lot for those low-compression motors that have a realistic CR of around 7.8-1.

[myk]

 Have you tried tuning to get the most out of your current setup?  And like John says, if you're running a low compression motor like I am, then you will be limited as to how much you can get out of the motor...

[c00nhunterjoe]

My 1st suggestion is take a compression test and post the numbers here. While we dont know what cam is in the car, we can still make an educated guess towards compression and advise from there.

[BSB67]

Will just another cam make a difference?

Yes.  Just not too sure if it will help........

[Mr. Lee]

Thanks for the reply's guys 

I can not take a compression test myself so I'll have to find someone who can after I returned from holiday in two weeks.
I sure hope the compression will be ok because the engine has been rebuild in 2008 and has driven 5000 miles since.

I searched the emails from the builder and found some specs of my setup:

- Engine is a H440, stock
- Cam is een Comp Cam: 462 lift intake/218 duration, .470 lift exhaust/224 duration.
- Comp. timing set.
- Intake is a Weiand Action Plus
- Ignition is MSD ready to run with blaster coil
- Carb is een Holley 750, type 0-3310C
- Positrac rearend with 3.55 gears and 2500 rpm stall convertor.

Does this info help?

[myk]

Piston and head type and work done to the heads would also be good information...

[BSB67]

I can not take a compression test myself

Usually this can be easily done with one person.

Pistons used would be nice info.  But the compression test is a substitute for this.

[myk]

I didn't know that.  Maybe I'll do one and see what you guys have to say...

[Ranman69SE]

I agree with the tuning advice.  Check your timing, both at idle and at 3000rpm, to make sure you're getting proper advance.

[Challenger340]

A 1972 440 is very low compression ratio.
"low" compression ratios and aluminum heads is a recipe for disaster.... as well as..... OVER-camming the "available" compression which as stated in the 1972 440 is missing anyways.

A Compression test would assist substantially to know what you are working with.... but it is dependent upon also knowing the Intake Valve Closing Point ABDC of the current camshaft for best results.

IMO,
if it's a bone stock 1972 440.....
268H CompCam and call it a day.(NOT the "XE" just the std "268H")

[myk]

I agree with the tuning advice.  Check your timing, both at idle and at 3000rpm, to make sure you're getting proper advance.

This.  Before people splurge on the next shiny part they should try and maximize what they have.  With a simple needle/seat/spring change and timing adjustments you can change your cars behavior considerably...

[Mr. Lee]

IMO,
if it's a bone stock 1972 440.....
268H CompCam and call it a day.(NOT the "XE" just the std "268H")

The engine has been build by Scotlea back in 2008 or so. I do not contact the owner anymore because of some big issues about the car he build for me and did not solve them for me at all. Enough said about that, but therefor I can not ask him what he did to the pistons and heads but I really don't think these are upgraded so I asume it's a bone stock, except for the parts I talked about in the above post.

Here are pics of my engine when it was rebuild, maybey someone can see what type of heads these are?