Fix one thing, on to the next

[mcditalia]

Brought the 66 to get exhaust manifolds replaced with correct 2" I found on ebay. Even had the right date codes! Well, figured since the manifolds were off, I replaced the plug wires, coil, and added some of the plug shielding.

Well I had to "clock" the distributor and set the timing, but I found out the timing marks were way off. Bubba had installed a "hotter" cam in the past (I always knew that), but in reality the mechanic said it's making the car not run to it's full potential (Making only 8" of vacuum?) .He adjusted it the best he could.

So fix one area and on to the next. The next big fix is going to be the cam. My mechanic suggested that when I'm ready to change the cam, the lifters and timing chain should also be done. My question is,I'm wondering whats better, buying an aftermarket kit with a spec cam, lifters, timing kit, ...etc) or buy NOS parts separately. I have the opportunity to buy a NOS L79 cam (#3863151) without any lifters, ....etc. What should I be looking out for in a NOS cam? Any opinions between the two options?

My water pump and pulley set up is also wrong. For a non P/S or A/C car, I believe the right pulleys should be #3858533 (crank), #3770245 (water) and #3839387 (alternator)? The water pump should have a 5/8" shaft and small hub? Does anyone concur with these numbers?

 

[IH2LOSE]

As quoted by some one else on this forum

"Its a slippery slope" when you start doing work on a car over 35 years old

What are your ultimate goals with the car? are you heading for a factory correct car?

Before I would do a cam I would do a wind test to try and see whats doing with the bottom end, As for your cam,I would suggest and brand new cam kit. I am not too sure about the small blocks,But I am sure john z will pop in with a recomendation on a cam.

What are you looking for out of your car.High performance,gas milage,relability.Stock

have a great day and good luck

 

[mcditalia]

Ih2lose,

The car is not going to be a 100 point car, but I would like to get real close, so as close as stock as my budget will allow. Problem is it never ends :L

The cam will obvioulsy not be part of any judging, and I'm sure any other cam manufacturers offer a L79 spec cam in "kit" form all ready to go. But I'm tempted to buy the NOS cam, mainly due to the "Keep your GM car all GM" saying. I was just curious what people thought.

Regarding my water pump, can someone tell me what the purpose of the bypass valve is? I don't have it.

 

[magicv8]

Cam tech has come a long way in 35-40 years. I'd decide what I expect from the engine, and get a roller cam and roller rocker set up that doesn't present obvious exhaust uproar - beyond what a judge is expecting to hear - assuming one of your goals is to have the car judged.

 

[maxphunn]

The cam will obvioulsy not be part of any judging, and I'm sure any other cam manufacturers offer a L79 spec cam in "kit" form all ready to go. But I'm tempted to buy the NOS cam, mainly due to the "Keep your GM car all GM" saying. I was just curious what people thought.

If the rest of the engine is true high compression L79, you may end up with "pinging" if you use the original L79 cam.

In my L79 I replaced the stock cam with a Comp Cams kit. Although a little "hotter" cam than stock, it had a little more duration and overlap which "spills" a little of the compression pressure in the cylinders and got rid of the pinging. Hope I 'splained that right, it was a couple years ago.

Roller rockers may give clearence problems with the stock Corvette aluminum valve covers but roller tip rockers will work.

Now the 350 in my '59 has a full roller setup and it is sweet. Even though the pistons are dommed and the compression is over 200 in every cylinder, there is no pinging. Don't ask me what the cam is 'cause I dunno, it was in the car when I got it.

 

[Donny Brass]

Comp Cams and Speed Pro both make a 151 'blueprint' cam shaft........

with a stock rebuild my car run fine on 93 octane

and even better on 110

 

[JohnZ]

If you want some lope at idle and good all-around performance with zero maintenance and a bulletproof design that uses plain ordinary grocery-getter valve springs and is proven dead-reliable at low cost, the "151" L-79 cam is available from GM as a kit with lifters under P/N 12364050. If you just want solid performance with a smooth idle and terrific low-end torque, the "929" 300hp cam is available from GM as a kit with lifters under P/N 12364051. Both list around $150, or $100 or so from Scoggin-Dickey or GMPartsDirect.com.

Roller cams are nice too, if you want to spend $800 or so. Full roller rockers won't fit under stock valve covers, but Comp Cams Magnum roller-tip rockers will.