350 cam

Cpotter78!

Cadet
Thread starter
Joined
Jun 19, 2021
Messages
25
I have a 79 24' SeaRay im rebuilding the 350 in it and need cam recommendations. I wouldnt mind some performance but I dont want to modify the heads, they are already done.
They are Torquer iron heads
 

Scott06

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Apr 20, 2014
Messages
7,665

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
53,398
your current heads are going to be down on power compared to the more modern ricardo combustion chamber found in vortec's etc. however you have them. The torquers are heavier (thicker) than the vortecs, and while they have larger valves, they flow more than the old chev castings, just not as much as the vortec.

did you at least do a proper piston, or did you stick with the cast flat-tops with the 4-piston reliefs?

with any cam change on a boat motor, you need to stay below 270 degrees of duration or you end up sucking water into the motor thru the exhaust.

I would highly recommend a roller motor myself. however for your old flat tappet motor.... I ran a comp cam - the CL12-236-3 - Comp Cams 'Xtreme Marine' Hydraulic Flat Tappet on the 350 in the Rogue prior to going porkchop

Operating Range: 1300-5500 RPM
Duration Advertised: 262 Intake / 268 Exhaust
Duration @ .050'' Lift: 218 Intake / 224 Exhaust
Valve Lift w/1.5 Rockers: .462'' Intake / .477'' Exhaust
Lobe Separation Angle: 112

ran it with summit 1.52:1 roller rockers when I did a vortec head swap and a Volvo Penta marine intake (same as edelbrock marine intake). I should have gone with 1.6's as I had room on the PTV test.

with any flat-tappet cam. the first 20 minutes of break-in are critical.
 

Cpotter78!

Cadet
Thread starter
Joined
Jun 19, 2021
Messages
25
your current heads are going to be down on power compared to the more modern ricardo combustion chamber found in vortec's etc. however you have them. The torquers are heavier (thicker) than the vortecs, and while they have larger valves, they flow more than the old chev castings, just not as much as the vortec.

did you at least do a proper piston, or did you stick with the cast flat-tops with the 4-piston reliefs?

with any cam change on a boat motor, you need to stay below 270 degrees of duration or you end up sucking water into the motor thru the exhaust.

I would highly recommend a roller motor myself. however for your old flat tappet motor.... I ran a comp cam - the CL12-236-3 - Comp Cams 'Xtreme Marine' Hydraulic Flat Tappet on the 350 in the Rogue prior to going porkchop

Operating Range: 1300-5500 RPM
Duration Advertised: 262 Intake / 268 Exhaust
Duration @ .050'' Lift: 218 Intake / 224 Exhaust
Valve Lift w/1.5 Rockers: .462'' Intake / .477'' Exhaust
Lobe Separation Angle: 112

ran it with summit 1.52:1 roller rockers when I did a vortec head swap and a Volvo Penta marine intake (same as edelbrock marine intake). I should have gone with 1.6's as I had room on the PTV test.

with any flat-tappet cam. the first 20 minutes of break-in are critical.
It is a flat tappet and sucking in water is what i was worried about I did get speed pro pistons with the 4 reliefs and dished its been bored 30 over as well I also have a edelbrock torquer 2 intake and a edelbrock 650 carb i should also ad the motor is a 350 out of an old truck it was blue from the factory the original mercruiser was replaced before i got it
 
Last edited:
Top