1968 383 stock cam specs

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Darren

Darren

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Hey guys i am giving my 1968 383 a minor makeover. i am replacing the timming chain and sprockets, cam and lifters, valve seals, oil pump and i might pull the heads to change the head gaskets. i want to keep the enging stock. Any one know what the stock cam specs were for the cam. and where i can get it? does any place have a top end kit with all the parts i need? thanks. It is a 1968 383 super cammando engine
 
Darren,

The 1968 ~ 383/330 HP and 383/300 HP 'Super Commando' Camshaft

Lift............. 431"/.443"
Duration.... 256*/260* Duration
Overlap..... 32* Overlap

Valve Springs........ #134 lbs. Valve-Closed / #208 lbs. Valve-Open

Available in the........Barracuda, Belvedere, Satellite and Sport Satellite

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The 1968 383/335 HP 'Road Runner' and 440/375 'Super Commando'
utilized the same Camshaft.

Lift............. 450"/.458"
Duration..... 268*/284*
Overlap....... 46*

Valve Spring Load-Rate....... #129 lbs. Valve-Closed / #250 lbs. Valve-Open

The Stock Valve Springs should be a 'dull' red in color.
 
That is a good upgrade. Slightly "rumpy",overlap low enough for street ability.
 
I believe that Darren {original poster} is 'not' pulling the Cylinder Heads.

If that's the case, a 'stock replacement' is the best choice.

The Speed-Pro #CS1098R is a good replacement Camshaft..........Cost $115

Note; It has a little more 'duration' and 'overlap' than a Stock Camshaft, but works
nicely with a Stock 383, and gives you another +12 HP.

Lift............... .420"/.443"
Duration....... 278*/288*
Duration....... 204*/214* @ .050" Lift
Centerline..... 112*

RPM Range... 1200 to 4500
 
What does changing a cam have to do with pulling the heads?

69 Cuda 440 said:
I believe that Darren {original poster} is 'not' pulling the Cylinder Heads.

If that's the case, a 'stock replacement' is the best choice.

The Speed-Pro #CS1098R is a good replacement Camshaft..........Cost $115

Note; It has a little more 'duration' and 'overlap' than a Stock Camshaft, but works
nicely with a Stock 383, and gives you another +12 HP.

Lift............... .420"/.443"
Duration....... 278*/288*
Duration....... 204*/214* @ .050" Lift
Centerline..... 112*

RPM Range... 1200 to 4500
Click to expand...
 
Nothing,

He stated that he 'might' or 'might not' pull the Cylinder Heads.

If he's not pulling the Cylinder Heads, I would assume that he's not
changing Valve Springs.

Hence, weakened 'Valve Springs' = 'stock' replacement Camshaft.
 
Not sure why he wants to replace the cam and lifters with the same cam or even one slightly bigger, if the engine has miles on it I would replace the springs anyway with any new cam, those old springs are going to be very week and probably float the valves over 4,500
 
Also said he wants to do. Valve seals witch I think require valve spring removal last I checked
 
EL5DEMON340 said:
Not sure why he wants to replace the cam and lifters with the same cam or even one slightly bigger, if the engine has miles on it I would replace the springs anyway with any new cam, those old springs are going to be very week and probably float the valves over 4,500
Click to expand...

Lifters are slightly concave. is there a problem with replacing the cam with another stock one.
 
EL5DEMON340 said:
Also said he wants to do. Valve seals witch I think require valve spring removal last I checked
Click to expand...

No Kidding,

But the 'original' title suggests, that he's doing a low-budget re-fresh.

I would 'pay' Big Bucks to watch him pop off the Valve Springs {all 16}
while the Cylinder Heads are still mounted on the Engine in the car.

That's usually a 'Comedy Show'...............

Where is that missing valve keeper........:eek:ops:
 
69 Cuda 440 said:
Nothing,

He stated that he 'might' or 'might not' pull the Cylinder Heads.

If he's not pulling the Cylinder Heads, I would assume that he's not
changing Valve Springs.

Hence, weakened 'Valve Springs' = 'stock' replacement Camshaft.
Click to expand...

Zero need to pull the heads to replace springs.
 
No but I would wonder what made the lifters concave, if your springs are single with no damper then go with the very small stock 2 bbl cam, if it has the damper then maybe go with the stock RR cam. I would do the valve seals at least if it's an old motor and check the springs for excessive weakness, best bet and bang for the buck is go with a kit, cam lifters springs.
 
I know I'm going to get 'flamed' for this,

But, if the 'curvature' on the bottom of the Lifter isn't too bad,
you could polish the bottoms with #600 Grit Wet/Dry Sandpaper.

th
 
The car is a barracuda formula s 383. Stock engine never opened up. I look into RR cam with new springs. thanks
 
And the concave in the lifters is just enough to see light through with a striaght edge. Pretty sure it is normal wear after 40 some years.
 
Won't get flamed from me. I've done it a few times. However, Oregon Cam will regrind them with the proper convex curve for $4 ea.

69 Cuda 440 said:
I know I'm going to get 'flamed' for this,

But, if the 'curvature' on the bottom of the Lifter isn't too bad,
you could polish the bottoms with #600 Grit Wet/Dry Sandpaper.

th
Click to expand...
 
Darren said:
The car is a barracuda formula s 383. Stock engine never opened up. I look into RR cam with new springs. thanks
Click to expand...

Darren,

Same Camshafts
* 383/270 HP '2-Barrel'
* 383/300 HP 'Super Commando'
* 383/330 HP 'Super Commando'

From personal use, they were the 'weak link' in those 383 Engines, along
with the Valve Springs.

Checking Lifters

th
 
I wonder how much of a diff the car would run with the 383 RR cam in there. The car is a 4 speed. My last car (68 dart 440) i replaced the cam with a comp 509 lift and was not to happy with the car as a street car. To chopy in my mind.
 
Probably a little more mid and top end, but not much, your only going bigger by a few degrees at 50. The voodoo cam I run sounds like a stock 383 cam, 17 in of vacuum, tons of low end with my 4 speed. It gets good mileage 15mpg hwy with a 3.23.
 
If you're going to swap out the Camshaft, you would be better off
to step it up at least 'One-Level'.

The 383 Road Runner Camshaft is probably the best choice.

Give you a little more 'Mid-Range' and 'Top-End'......... Vrooom !
 
So if i step it up to the 68 roadrunner cam, i guess i need new valve springs. If so are the comp 911-16 good? Or stick with a MP set? thanks guys for the help
 
Darren,

Valve Springs

Compu-Cams.....#911-16...........{#122 lbs. Valve-Closed ~ #309 lbs. Valve-Open}
or
Mopar Performance...#P3690933

Are nearly identical in Load-Rate Spring Pressure.

Both are designed for Hydraulic Camshafts with Lifts between .450" and .500"
 
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