Single or Dual Pattern Cam

Crane always did that. They gave a minimum compression and whether the particular cam "liked" gears and so on. With all of the tricks you can do regarding camshaft timing and ignition curves though, you can widen the "accepted" camshaft choices greatly.
Exactly. We love to help around here but the OP rally needs to type 318 cam in the search box and read through 15 or so pages of threads about the subject. Us vet's here sound like a broken record every time on of these threads comes up. There is no correct answer. I try to use the common sense approach with cams for mild engines. If a aftermarket cam is close to the stock specs, why replace it unless it is worn out or you are doing a stock rebuild. If you are building a hot rod, be prepared to open your checkbook and buy everything it will take to make your combination work.