Building a 350 Vortec motor

[joewithaboat]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

SWEEEEET!. My timing cover looks NOTHING like that. It is abs plastic. The original had a hole for the crankshaft sensor but stamped on the inside of the cover is a part number for one without the hole. I bought a new one without the hole. The front of the oil pan mounts in a groove on my cover. So then its not an LT1???

This is a link to Summit and the cam i ordered. Under the application tab, it says not for LT1 or LT4.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-08-416-8/

Correct , not an LT1! Thank goodness.
That appears to be an "08" cam It should have a necked down end on the front (away from the distributor gear) That's to work with the cam retention plate. You should have the correct one. Additionally "906" is a vortec casting #
Be careful some of the true roller timing set wont fit behind that plastic cover and not all genI chains will work for you. Make sure it says "for use with OE roller"

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

did you order new lifters with your cam?

I hade already purchased new Crane lifters and pushrods prior to purchasing the cam.

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

I'd say it is NOT an LT1. Might want to ask who told you it was, and why? Cam looks correct for a sbc gen I.

Agreed. Thank you for the link. That is a cool website.

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

Correct , not an LT1! Thank goodness.
That appears to be an "08" cam It should have a necked down end on the front (away from the distributor gear) That's to work with the cam retention plate. You should have the correct one. Additionally "906" is a vortec casting #
Be careful some of the true roller timing set wont fit behind that plastic cover and not all genI chains will work for you. Make sure it says "for use with OE roller"

I purchased the new cover from the GM dealer. I had someone purchase the timing set for me thru Advance Auto because he gets a 30% discount there for his business. I haven't picked it up from him yet so i'll have to double check.

 

[John_S]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

did you order new lifters with your cam?

It had low mile hyd rollers, so I wouldn't have changed them, unless there was a known issue.

 

[John_S]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

I hade already purchased new Crane lifters and pushrods prior to purchasing the cam.

OK, might not have been required given the the low mile engine. But, new won't hurt anything. The aftermarket rollers are typically taller and do require different pushrods. Good move getting the kit.

 

[John_S]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

Cam: earlier in the thread, the cam I thought you choose, had more duration than the one that you linked to. This cam is is a better match to your pkg. It does have enough lift that the vortecs will need some mods.

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

It had low mile hyd rollers, so I wouldn't have changed them, unless there was a known issue.

Possibly lifter knock when the motor was taken out... figured, why chance it.

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

Cam: earlier in the thread, the cam I thought you choose, had more duration than the one that you linked to. This cam is is a better match to your pkg. It does have enough lift that the vortecs will need some mods.

Springs were ordered to match the cam. As soon as i pick up the parts, the springs will go to the shop along with the can spec sheet for the shop to set it all up. Hopefully won't be too long now.

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

It's a little messed up... I've been using the guy i purchased the block and heads from to get me parts because he gets them at a big discount. He has the rest of what i need at his house now... but i haven't been able to get a call back from him in almost a week so i can go pick everything up and pay him for them... FRUSTRATING! I'm ready to get building but am stuck because of someone else.

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

So i was finally able to get in touch with the guy buying my parts. He sent my cam back thinking it was an LT1 motor. Great, so i have to wait again. I'd be better off ordering the cam and springs myself and going to pick up the rest of my parts and being done with that whole situation.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

summit ships in a day, shows up in 3. if you buy enough they throw in a hat

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

summit ships in a day, shows up in 3. if you buy enough they throw in a hat[/QUOTE

I should get a hat this time then. I go to speak with the guy in person today. He ordered me another cam which should be at his place today or tomorrow. Apparently, this cam will work with stock springs??? If that's the case, i can pick up my heads Friday (hopefully) and get back to building this weekend.

 

[John_S]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

What cam would that be? Not many that give more performance than the stock and do not require new springs or machine work to the vortec heads. The stock mercruiser roller cam, is also the same as what comes in the crate ramjet 350, and the HT383. You can sometimes find new take outs from engine builders, on ebay. Also, the cam can be purchased new, for less than most perf cams: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-14097395/

PS: Jegs also provides hats, decals, etc

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

What cam would that be? Not many that give more performance than the stock and do not require new springs or machine work to the vortec heads. The stock mercruiser roller cam, is also the same as what comes in the crate ramjet 350, and the HT383. You can sometimes find new take outs from engine builders, on ebay. Also, the cam can be purchased new, for less than most perf cams: http://www.summitracing.com/parts/NAL-14097395/

PS: Jegs also provides hats, decals, etc

I believe that is the cam that came in the motor. I'm gettingthis one... http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-08-416-8/

Was told the stock springs could handle up to .500 lift.

 

[John_S]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

I believe that is the cam that came in the motor. I'm gettingthis one... http://www.summitracing.com/parts/CCA-08-416-8/

Was told the stock springs could handle up to .500 lift.

I guess it possible it came in a police cruiser, but kinda doubt it. It is not a computer friendly cam.

Springs will be borderline, at best. Comp Cams looks like they recommend a 120lb seat pressure spring. Stock vortec, I believe are 80lb. Heads willl need mod for the lift. There are beehive style springs that do allow extra lift on vortec heads. They are more expensive: http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/vortec_valve_spring_upgrade/index.html

 

[Maddoxsdaddy]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

I guess it possible it came in a police cruiser, but kinda doubt it. It is not a computer friendly cam.

Springs will be borderline, at best. Comp Cams looks like they recommend a 120lb seat pressure spring. Stock vortec, I believe are 80lb. Heads willl need mod for the lift. There are beehive style springs that do allow extra lift on vortec heads. They are more expensive: http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles/vortec_valve_spring_upgrade/index.html

Well crap. Thats the last thing i need is for my springs to break while running wide open. I think that would cause quite the mess.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

summit ships in a day, shows up in 3. if you buy enough they throw in a hat[/QUOTE

I should get a hat this time then. I go to speak with the guy in person today. He ordered me another cam which should be at his place today or tomorrow. Apparently, this cam will work with stock springs??? If that's the case, i can pick up my heads Friday (hopefully) and get back to building this weekend.

the cam may work with stock springs, however when you increase lift on a cam, its always good idea to replace the springs.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

Well crap. Thats the last thing i need is for my springs to break while running wide open. I think that would cause quite the mess.

check with your machine shop, mine charges about $80 to cut the guides and spring seats.

 

[John_S]

Re: Building a 350 Vortec motor

Well crap. Thats the last thing i need is for my springs to break while running wide open. I think that would cause quite the mess.

Springs probably won't break. Valve float will occur.

If the lift is not machined or resolved otherwise, the oil seals will be damaged, and possible other valve train damage.


If you don't want to change springs or machine heads, then go with the stock cam I linked to. There are a couple of perf cams that could work. One has the same lift as the stock, but a little more duration (10-15hp). Another has slightly more lift, and even more duration (20-25hp). If you are interested, I'll look them up this evening, or if you have Dennis Moorse Book, you already have the info. It would still be a good idea to change the springs.