Jim (Racer Brown) recommended a cam

-
pittsburghracer

pittsburghracer

FABO Gold Member
FABO Gold Member
Joined
Apr 20, 2016
Messages
15,615
Reaction score
35,777
Location
Freeport, PA.
I talked to Jim yesterday about a hydraulic cam for my sons 340 (1973). It’s a stock shortblock (8.5-1 comp) and from what direct connection used to say, limited to .500 lift or so. He kinda laughed when I gave him the flow numbers to the Speedmaster heads I ported for him (280cfm) but said at least his heads are ready for a real cam down the road. He recommended his SS-H-25 grind. .485 lift with a 1.5 rocker, [email protected] duration, 286 effective duration. He was going to recommend a step smaller but when I told him he was going to use an old J converter (3800) he said this one would be best. I have a couple Purple Shaft cams on my shelf so I will check those out and make up our mind. Always great talking to Jim.
 
Does the 340 have the stock pistons? If so shouldn't you gain compression with the closed chambered Speedmasters heads?
 
dano said:
Does the 340 have the stock pistons? If so shouldn't you gain compression with the closed chambered Speedmasters heads?
Click to expand...


That would be great. He still has the heads on and I’m not up on the stock heads at all anymore. And yes stock 1973 shortblock.
 
I should add I have a set of head gaskets here that came in a kit. Guys here said they would work great for him but they are .010 thicker.
 
He is a friendly guy BUT you need to know that he is definitely an old fashioned operator. For those that are used to slam-bam impersonal service, be ready that he is not like that. He wants to talk and get things right.
I suggest that IF you call, make sure you get all of your questions answered. I didn't and there was a misunderstanding. On our first call, I got no pricing and no time frame of completion so after not hearing from him, I went with another vendor. Jim called awhile later to say the cam was done. I had to explain the situation and I don't know if he felt angry or disappointed about it.
Also, I asked about the risk of cam and lifter failure and he spoke as if he hadn't heard of it being a problem. I don't like to be rude to the Elders but that sort of told me that he is a bit out of touch. Failures do happen and they happen often.
Finally, I am not real tech savvy or new age in thinking but I am used to how Summit operates. Clear pricing and shipping time frames are the norm nowadays. Maybe with a bit better follow up on his part or better communication on my part, it would have worked out.
 
When I talk to any vendor or machine shop I have 3 x 5 cheat sheets with questions I want to ask. Usually I have 3-5 projects going on at once so I start a question lists days ahead. I do the same when I go grocery shopping and mark off each item as I place it in the cart. Jim will talk as long as you want to talk and I’ve never felt rushed. I already know exactly how much the cam and lifters would cost minus shipping after one call. One more call and it would be made as none of his cams are stocked items. Communication is a lost art in this day and age.
 
pittsburghracer said:
When I talk to any vendor or machine shop I have 3 x 5 cheat sheets with questions I want to ask. Usually I have 3-5 projects going on at once so I start a question lists days ahead. I do the same when I go grocery shopping and mark off each item as I place it in the cart. Jim will talk as long as you want to talk and I’ve never felt rushed. I already know exactly how much the cam and lifters would cost minus shipping after one call. One more call and it would be made as none of his cams are stocked items. Communication is a lost art in this day and age.
Click to expand...


I do the same thing, as I think of something to ask I write it down. It can save some heartburn and ill feelings later.
 
You should gain about a half point of compression over the open chambered stock heads. (or so everybody says) There's a bunch of /040 head gaskets available and I see Cometic has .027's. Mr Gasket 1121G's are .028.
 
toolmanmike said:
You should gain about a half point of compression over the open chambered stock heads. (or so everybody says) There's a bunch of /040 head gaskets available and I see Cometic has .027's. Mr Gasket 1121G's are .028.
Click to expand...


He’s trying to save for a house in Colorado and most of them are 400,000.00 plus so we are trying to keep it on a budget as much as possible. I would love to build him a nice engine to replace this one down the road but we shall see. His 74 duster needs floorboards, k member changed, 8 3/4 bought and installed, interior, and body and paint work. He runs a body shop so a lot of it he can do but it still take time and money
197A13E9-9D1F-4F6E-B643-AF9EEBAFABC3.jpeg
D1EF3BFF-7C17-4C62-B12D-69245C286522.jpeg
1E0A9C52-9AC3-4B15-91CA-2D22A862B14E.jpeg
 
Kern Dog said:
He is a friendly guy BUT you need to know that he is definitely an old fashioned operator. For those that are used to slam-bam impersonal service, be ready that he is not like that. He wants to talk and get things right.
I suggest that IF you call, make sure you get all of your questions answered. I didn't and there was a misunderstanding. On our first call, I got no pricing and no time frame of completion so after not hearing from him, I went with another vendor. Jim called awhile later to say the cam was done. I had to explain the situation and I don't know if he felt angry or disappointed about it.
Also, I asked about the risk of cam and lifter failure and he spoke as if he hadn't heard of it being a problem. I don't like to be rude to the Elders but that sort of told me that he is a bit out of touch. Failures do happen and they happen often.
Finally, I am not real tech savvy or new age in thinking but I am used to how Summit operates. Clear pricing and shipping time frames are the norm nowadays. Maybe with a bit better follow up on his part or better communication on my part, it would have worked out.
Click to expand...

Failures happen often to people who make mistakes. Some people are very particular about making sure they don't make mistakes during break in. There are actually very few failures from manufacturer defect.
 
Come on, Randy. I see the thinly veiled insult.
I spoke with Dwayne Porter himself and even he admitted that the quality of hydraulic lifters has been suspect for years.
 
Kern Dog said:
Come on, Randy. I see the thinly veiled insult.
I spoke with Dwayne Porter himself and even he admitted that the quality of hydraulic lifters has been suspect for years.
Click to expand...

Who's Randy? And I knew you were gonna get butthurt. I didn't mean YOU at all. Not in the least. You think what you want, but that's not what I meant.
 
Your name isn't Randy? I thought it was.
Oh wait....Rob! Yeah, I had the R right!
 
Kern Dog said:
Your name isn't Randy? I thought it was.
Oh wait....Rob! Yeah, I had the R right!
Click to expand...

I answer to much worse things. I'm shocked to think you believe I would actually insult you. Dummy. lol Seriously, I would never do that intentionally and that's NOT how I meant it, I promise.
 
Demonic said:
He's old school. Not much for a website. Phone calls, 410-866-7660. Most days, 2pm -ish to 7 pm ish Eastern Time. 8001 Philadelphia Rd Baltimore
Click to expand...

I don't know if that is a fair assessment, the website is pretty comprehensive and very easy to navigate IMO. More technical information on the lobes than I could process. I had good results using his website and the cam recommendation tool. I wasn't ready to actually commit to the cam but wanted to know how radical he would recommend so I could consider other parts of the combo. So, I didn't want to bother him on the phone. I got a reply within a couple days and he wrote out answers to the couple specific questions I had about options I was pondering. I'll definitely call when I am ready to order.
 
gzig5 said:
I don't know if that is a fair assessment, the website is pretty comprehensive and very easy to navigate IMO. More technical information on the lobes than I could process. I had good results using his website and the cam recommendation tool. I wasn't ready to actually commit to the cam but wanted to know how radical he would recommend so I could consider other parts of the combo. So, I didn't want to bother him on the phone. I got a reply within a couple days and he wrote out answers to the couple specific questions I had about options I was pondering. I'll definitely call when I am ready to order.
Click to expand...

Which website.
 
Kern Dog said:
... Also, I asked about the risk of cam and lifter failure and he spoke as if he hadn't heard of it being a problem. I don't like to be rude to the Elders but that sort of told me that he is a bit out of touch. Failures do happen and they happen often...
Click to expand...

He may not be experiencing lifter failure. He is old school, and only uses new old stock or USA made lifters as far as I know. I have not experienced lifter failure, but I don't buy cheap cams, cheap lifters, or the latest rage in fast lift profiles, very light oil, and high spring pressures. All of which, I believe contributes to premature cam failure.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
-

Back
Top