Camshaft Selection

[Shannen Durphey]

Gwyn Reedy wrote:
> 
> I have the 402 BBC out of my 72 Cheyenne pickup torn down for a rebuild.
> Dang oil pump inlet fell off and the bearings got fed a mixture of oil and
> air...
> 
> The engine is not very badly damaged. Taking the crank in today to see what
> it needs done to it, but it doesn't look very bad at all.
> 
> The cam shows a lot of wear. Looks like the original cam with 70k miles on
> it. Some of the lifters are starting to get concave a bit too.
> 
> The truck is used for running errands around town, and from time to time
> pulling a heavy trailer. The trailer is 6000 lbs empty and up to 14000
> loaded. 3.08 posi rear end and THM-400.
> 
> Wondering what cam to put in it. This is an oval port (passenger car type
> heads) with a low profile Quadrajet manifold, standard cast iron exhaust
> manifolds. Need low end torque, not horsepower.
> 
> I'm wondering if any of these 'bottom-end torque for 4x4 off road use' cams
> might be a good choice or should I just put a replacement factory cam back
> in it?
> 
> Gwyn Reedy
> Brandon, Florida
> mailto:mgr at mgrcorp.com
> '72 Cheyenne half ton (driver)
> '69 El Camino SS396 (rebuilder)

Couple of things.  Camshaft selection can be considered a dark art. 
Lots of general info available, but experience makes the best
teacher.  Also, as a comparison tool, computer dyno simulation
software has really helped me out. 

I have used a Crane Compucam for _smallblock_ engines, "produces brute
low end torque" (their words), with carb, and it works well, IMO. 
Computer cams should be designed to produce strong, steady vacuum
readings, which is beneficial for fuel economy.

You can download Comp Cams cam selection software for free if you like
their parts.
http://www.compcams.com/
Later.
Shannen