Quote Originally Posted by JonBoll View Post
Great question, if I knew the answer it would be even better There are no markings on the cam, and no color of any kind either. I would not know the nuances of one versus the other to know the difference. Its funny though now that you mention it, It ran a little better initially , but I heard tapping from the #2,4and 8 cylinder's valves the first time I ran her. At that time it idled better , but the pressure was still low. I could not take the tapping, so I pulled the valve covers and commenced to do the ol twist and tighten method. the first time I knew I was over tight as I had oil blowby, I readjusted again and got rid of the blowby. Now it definitely struggles to run. I had half a mind a few days ago to throw on the 305 heads I have that I know were fine when I pulled them. I decided against it because they are the nasty GM swirl heads and although they were ported about a year ago, I did not honestly feel I would get much benefit from them as the valves are 1.84 / 1.5. Not knowing my cam has left me uneasy to begin with, throwing a different set of heads on could further worsen my dilemma.
Is there a way to tell via casting what the cam type may be? like cranks?
Hi People,
This sounds like you might have to go back to Basics if you want to have
a streetable motor.I have made the same mistakes as these and paid very
dearly.I shall be brief..[I had an 350cu in/250 hp pollution motor.]
This is What I would Do which is in line with some of the other suggestions.
Your low vacuum does not surprise.
Find out your camshaft specs with a qualified Mechanic.
Take a compression test.
Swap that inlet manifold until All else works O.K..Performer??
Fit a 2.5 O.D Exhaust System throughout..Bigger is Not Better.
Set your fuel regulator at 8lbs max.
Know where your float levels reach in height.
If you are using a 360* Torker with what may be 270*/280* + cam
and you are in the real hills then with this combo you are in for
dramas that you need not have with Timing and
fuel supply and over extraction exhaust dramas.Changing heads wont
help one bit until this lot is sorted out. This is what I ended doing with
a similar problem that I created
GM222/222 cam or similar.180* manifold/650carb/10*/12* timing..
Work from there with other advice and good luck..Skyeking