newbie with RV Cam question.

[patrickp]

Hi folks!  I think Im posting this right.  Ive got an untouched / unaltered heads on a 1977 Dodge BB 400 2 barrel carb and was wondering what kind of mild or a little more aggressive cam I can put in my engine since Im replacing the timing chain anyways.  Napas doing the plain Jane go through clean up on the heads with porting or anything like that.  Im replaceing the intake manifold gasket because it leaks and exhaust manifold gaskets because their leaking too so I figured Id let Napa go through the heads since I was doing all this other work.  Motor has 75,000 original miles on it so I was wondering if changed cam and lifters only, would I be alright?  Since this is an RV, hot rod stuff I dont need and Im staying with the original hyd flat tappet lifter/rocker arm assy.  Surely I can just replace the cam and lifters without changing pushrods etc...?  Looks like Summit has a Classic Cam replacement Sum K6400 w/lifters for $117 or a Sum K6401 w/lifters for $117.  Any ideas for this without doing major work?  The 2 barrel Id like to keep on it as is.

[crj1968]

I dont know anything about summit cams, I'm sure for what you are doing they are fine... but for a little more you could do the old standard mopar performance purple shaft 284 /484 cam and lifter kit.

I've installed a few of them years ago in similar situations as you and was happy with them.... but hey, you might throw an intake an 4bbl on there while you are at it !

I've reused push rods also just roll em on something flat and makes sure none are bent.

Other peoples opinions may vary of course...

good luck!

[Mopar Nut]

Welcome aboard!

[cbrestorations]

i would just choose the largest cam you can find that still allows the use of a stock torque converter. ive used cams as big as 225 degrees @50 duration. watch the lobe separation too try and keep it above 112.

[HPP]

With a '77 engine  you want a cam that will retain as much cylinder pressure as possible. That means high lift for cylinder filling and short duration to keep all the pressure in.

Summit cams are a great value and can probably met your goals at a reasonable price point. I've used them before with great results, but aren't optimum.  If you want a better cam, I'd suggest talking to the guys at Hughes or Lunati about your objectives. It will cost more and net minor improvements over a Summit grind but will be better matched to you combo.

[patrickp]

Like someone above said, 284 / 484 comb cam.  Since it's an RV I'm not looking for hot rod stuff.  I'm staying under 500 dur-lft so as to NOT have to change push rods or alter heads etc...  It's not about money but rather keeping the repairs simple enough that I can do it.  Napa will re-do / bless the heads.  These RV Mechanics want $132 an hour versus a regular automotive mechanic at $65 an hour.  Why more to work on an Rv I don't know why because this motor is exactly the same motor thats found in cars, trucks & van's.